Covid-19 chain of survival 2020

Abstract

The term Chain of Survival provides a useful metaphor for the elements involved in the COVID-19 management. The 5 links of the COVID-19 Chain of Survival are: • SCIENCE-Evidence-based medicine (public policies and policies) • AWARENESS-Increasing population sensitization and awareness • TRAINING-Individual or team training for healthcare professionals • STRUCTURE-Equip and structure the pre-hospital and in-hospital phases of COVID-19 management • RETURN-Return of patients and healthcare professionals A strong Chain of Survival can improve the chances of survival and recovery for victims of COVID-19. Initiative: Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) and Brazilian Association of Emergency Medicine (ABRAMEDE). Note: The COVID-19 Chain of Survival is aimed at providing information and not at replacing the clinical judgement of physicians, who should determine the appropriate treatment for their patients. 35 628 628 individuals worldwide by the first fifteen days of October, having the United States and Brazil as its epicenter, with 9 385 506 and 5 566 049 cases, respectively. Regarding the number of deaths in the same period, 1 215 756, Brazil ranks second, with 160 496 deaths.2 The emergency measures to treat patients with COVID-19 and restrain the outbreak are number one priority in those countries. However, those measures might result in collateral damage for patients with other acute diseases, in addition to worsening the socioeconomic conditions in those countries. The Chain of Survival refers to a chain of events that should occur in rapid sequence to maximize the chances of surviving COVID-19 and restoring the health and social flows. It is a simple metaphor to demonstrate the population’s vital role in controlling COVID-19, in addition to the role played by healthcare professionals in that control. It suggests that each link of the chain is critical and depends on the preceding one, and that the chain of survival is not only strong when all its links are consolidated, but it might help save lives through the effective approach to its links.