Bulgarian delegation of Military Medical Academy visited San Mateo Medical Center in the Italian city of Pavia, announced Major General Ventsislav Mutafchiiski during the regular virus briefing of the Bulgarian coronavirus task force.
The delegation seeking medical practical experience exchange consisted of two infectious disease specialists, two blood transfusion specialists and one virologist.
San Mateo’s emergency ward chief Prof. Stefano Berlin said that the first COVID patient of the hospital was admitted for treatment on February 21. He also made clear that the Italian hospital is to a great extend managed in a similar fashion to Military Medical Academy with a few differences that may be implemented in Bulgarian hospitals.
Italian doctors tend to prescribe a chest ultrasound scanner followed by radiography and scanner, as well as biochemical and hematological tests, in case of any signs of coronavirus infection.
San Mateo’s testing laboratory has shown great potential and possesses technology for antibody COVID testing. An agreement for technological and practical collaboration is expected to be signed in the near future between the two medical facilities.
San Mateo’s infectious department chief Rafaele Bruno shared interesting observations regarding the physiological progression of the disease, incl. skin alterations and myocardium issues established through multiple heart biopsies.
Mutafchiyski highlighted that Bulgarian hospitals use the same antibiotic treatments and similar to their Italian counterparts restrain from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, Italian medical practice shows that they have a little positive effect.
Cherese Perotti, head of the Department of Immunohematology at San Mateo Medical Center, shared more details about the hospital’s plasma and antibody treatment methods. Italian experts use frozen plasma to conduct a quantitative analysis of the antibody concentration. Such treatment, based on the Italian approach, is underway in Bulgaria.
Mutafchiyski added that the Italian hospital is relying on hyperimmune plasma and is stocking up supplies in case of a secondary COVID wave. San Mateo Medical Center is not engaged in the development of a vaccine or drugs for the new coronavirus.
