The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) has decided to restrict the movement of people in its units and expand the provision of telehealth services as an option for users of the physical, auditory and intellectual rehabilitation clinics installed in the Center for Health Education and Research Anita Garibaldi and in Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, in Macaíba (RN).

The Institute will also suspend in-person Master's and Residency academic activities, as it did in 2020, encouraging remote formats as an alternative. 

These and other measures were confirmed this Friday (5) amid the increase in cases of Covid-19 – and mean a temporary restructuring of operations.

The changes will be implemented from Monday, March 8, and will initially be valid for 15 days, with the possibility of extending this period.

Check out below how the Institute will operate:

CARE FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND REHABILITATION

All of the Institute's essential services will continue to be provided in person, including activities such as high-risk prenatal care, diagnostic support services such as laboratory tests, electroencephalography and ultrasound, high-risk childcare and pediatrics, neurology, urology, otorhinolaryngology and infectious diseases, as well as care for people experiencing sexual violence. Essential services offered at the Institute's Rehabilitation Center, CER III, will also be provided in person. Depending on the scenario, care may be spaced out. Users of the adult and child rehabilitation clinics will be able to choose between in-person or remote care, depending on their health condition and a joint decision with the therapist. Remote care will be an option for users who are able to adhere to this format. Those who do not have an internet connection or who do not wish to use telehealth will continue to receive care in person and will receive the necessary guidance.

GROUP ACTIVITIES

All activities involving larger groups are suspended, including group assistance, training and meetings, visits to the Anita Garibaldi and IIN-ELS facilities, and in-person classes.  

MASTER'S AND RESIDENCE DEFENSES

Possible defenses and qualifications may continue to be held in person, but with a restricted audience. Only the student who will be evaluated and the examining board may participate. However, in these cases, the remote format will also be possible.

MEASURES

The measures were announced by the Institute's CEO, Reginaldo Freitas Júnior, as a way to encourage a reduction in the flow of people in the facilities and reduce the risks of Covid-19. The changes are in line with Decree No. 30,383 of the state government, which was published on February 26, intensifying social distancing measures, such as restrictions on the movement of people, crowds and events, to contain the current situation of the pandemic. Although the decree does not impose restrictive measures on the operation of essential services and health units, for example, groups that the ISD fits into, the Institute understands the restructuring of the services it offers as necessary in view of the current scenario.

FOLLOW-UP

The ISD maintains a special committee to monitor and evaluate measures related to the pandemic. The purpose of the Committee is to ensure the safety of the institutional community and keep it updated on the recommendations of health authorities. The Committee is chaired by the general director, Reginaldo Freitas Júnior, and includes the participation of infectious disease specialists Carolina Damásio and Manoella Alves, nurse Erianna Macedo, as well as administrative director Jovan Gadioli and unit managers Edgard Morya and Lilian Lisboa. The measures announced by the Institute will be reassessed every 15 days.