F.A.Q.
Last update: 23/09/2022
Dear patients, the Europe Hospitals receive many questions related to your queries about the Coronavirus COVID-19. We have collected the most frequently asked questions and answer them below. All this information is based on the FPS Public Health guidelines available on www.sciensano.be.
Screening/INFO CORONAVIRUS
Which Covid-19 tests are carried out in the context of foreign travel?
The laboratory of the Europe Hospitals carries out Covid PCR tests when travelling to a foreign destination, with results sent by e-mail and on CovidSafe within 24 hours.
How do I know if I need a PCR test for my destination?
Check in advance the test required by your travel destination on reopen.europa.eu or https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr/Services/voyager_a_letranger/conseils_par_destination
Do I need to make an appointment for a covid test when travelling abroad?
Yes, you need to make an appointment for a covid test with an EU certificate. Check in advance the test required by your travel destination on reopen.europa.eu or https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr/Services/voyager_a_letranger/conseils_par_destination
Does the certificate with the test result meet all the validity criteria?
The certificate with the test result according to the trip abroad meets all requirements:
- In English
- Contains the following information: type of test, contact details of the medical centre, date and time of the test, test result.
- Your name, first name, address, date of birth and NISS number if you are a Belgian resident
Where and when to find the test result?
- in your online medical file on masanté.be.
- in the CovidSafe application
- by SMS, if you have provided your telephone number
EU certificates are available in digital form via the masanté.be website or via the new covidsafe.be application. Users can only request their own certificates and those of their child(ren). To do so, they must first register digitally, which is easier via the itsme identification application. Each certificate includes a unique QR code that can be scanned. Users can save this code in the application itself, save it as a PDF or print it on paper.
INFO CORONAVIRUS
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS?
The patient has a temperature accompanied by cough with possible breathing difficulties, muscle pain, sore throat. Elderly people and people with pre-existing chronic diseases seem to be more vulnerable to severe symptoms.
CAN I GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF I THINK I HAVE CORONAVIRUS?
Call your doctor in the first instance. He or she will advise you on the instructions to be followed.
IS THERE A RISK OF CATCHING COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS CIRCULATING IN YOUR HOSPITAL FROM INFECTED PEOPLE?
The Europe Hospitals have put in place all hygienic and protective measures to prevent the spread of the virus:
- Specific measures for consultations and interventions: click here for more information
- Specific measures for the visits: click here for more information
- In addition, patients who are infected and/or waiting for the results are isolated in dedicated care units.
At the hospital or elsewhere, to avoid contamination, it is necessary to follow the following hygiene rules to the letter:
- Get vaccinated => The more people are vaccinated, the safer it becomes for all of us
- Wash your hand regularly => And also follow the other hygiene rules such as when coughing or sneezing
- Do you feel ill or you have symptoms => Stay home and contact your GP
- Test yourself => If you have not been vaccinated, you can buy a self-test from your pharmacist
- Go outside => Because it’s safer outsider
- Smaller is better => A group of five is safer than a group of fifty
- Is everyone in your group vaccinated ? => Then you can take off your masks
- Ventilate indoor spaces => To avoid the formation of a virus cloud inside
- Maintain a safe distance => It is safer to remain at 1.5 meters until everyone has been vaccinated
- Keep it safe while travelling => Download the digital corona certificate, use your corona app, and find out about local rules
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THE EUROPE HOSPITALS IN RESPONSE TO THIS COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS?
The Europe Hospitals have put in place all hygienic and protective measures to prevent the spread of the virus:
- Specific measures for consultations and interventions: click here for more information
- Specific measures for the visits: click here for more information
- In addition, patients who are infected and/or waiting for the results are isolated in dedicated care units.
WHAT HYGIENE MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO AVOID BEING INFECTED?
- Get vaccinated => The more people are vaccinated, the safer it becomes for all of us
- Wash your hand regularly => And also follow the other hygiene rules such as when coughing or sneezing
- Do you feel ill or you have symptoms => Stay home and contact your GP
- Test yourself => If you have not been vaccinated, you can buy a self-test from your pharmacist
- Go outside => Because it’s safer outsider
- Smaller is better => A group of five is safer than a group of fifty
- Is everyone in your group vaccinated ? => Then you can take off your masks
- Ventilate indoor spaces => To avoid the formation of a virus cloud inside
- Maintain a safe distance => It is safer to remain at 1.5 meters until everyone has been vaccinated
- Keep it safe while travelling => Download the digital corona certificate, use your corona app, and find out about local rules
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "REACHING THE PEAK"?
Under normal circumstances, a virus quickly infects a very large number of people. When this peak of infection hits us with such intensity, it becomes very difficult for the health sector to cope with the demand for care. When the peak has been reached, it means that the spread of the virus slows down and is spread over a longer period of time, the curve is said to flatten. Hospitals can then provide high-quality care. We can do this together because of the measures imposed by the government. We all have a responsibility in this regard, not just the health care providers.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRUS?
- General information site: info-coronavirus.be
- Scientific information site: www.sciensano.be
- National number: 0800-14 689.
CONSULTATIONS
I (OR MY CHILD) HAVE A SCHEDULED CONSULTATION, SHOULD I POSTPONE IT?
You can find all information about our consultations by clicking here.
ARE THE BELLA VITA MEDICAL CENTER AND THE EXTERNAL CONSULTATION HALLE STILL OPEN?
Yes.
For the Bella Vita Medical Center, you can find all the information here: https://www.bellavitamedicalcenter.be/
CAN SOMEONE ACCOMPANY ME TO MY CONSULTATION?
You can find all information about our consultations by clicking here.
Can I go to the emergency department for any reason other than COVID-19?
The Emergency Department of the Europe Hospitals continues to take care of all emergencies. We have set up two different circuits, one outside for patients potentially infected with COVID-19 and one inside for patients who come for all other emergencies. Don't play with your health, go to the emergency department if necessary!
Are some consultations available by video-conference?
Yes, to consult the specialties that offer video teleconsultations: click here.
INTERVENTIONS/HOSPITALISATIONS
I (OR MY CHILD) HAVE A PLANNED INTERVENTION, SHOULD I POSTPONE IT?
You can find all information about our interventions by clicking here.
CAN I PICK UP MY RELATIVE AFTER HIS/HER HOSPITALIZATION?
Yes, without restriction.
VISITS
WHO CAN COME TO VISIT?
You can find the information about the visits by clicking here.
Visits by medical representatives
Medical delegates are allowed to visit the Europe Hospitals (alone).
SUPPORT AND DONATIONS
CAN I HELP YOU WITH DONATIONS?
Many of you have asked us if it is possible to make donations to the Europe Hospitals as part of the COVID-19 crisis. This is heartwarming!
You can make your donations :
- Either by making the donation directly to the Europe Hospitals on account BE70 3100 3699 9425 indicating the free communication " DONATION COVID 19 ".
- Either by paying the donation via the King Baudouin Foundation to account BE10 0000 0000 0404 indicating the structured communication ***020/0670/00086***. Tax certificate for any donation of more than 40 EUR.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
YES WE CARE !
I CAN MAKE MASKS. CAN I BRING THEM TO THE EUROPE HOSPITALS?
In order to not endanger the safety of our patients and employees, we unfortunately cannot accept homemade masks from outside. The masks must be scientifically tested before we can use them. This is the only way to find out whether they can stop even the finest particles.
In the hospital, special care is often carried out that causes fine droplets. These fine droplets can contain the virus and, through the mesh of the homemade mask, cause contamination.
However, masks may be useful in situations where fewer operations are performed that cause these fine droplets, such as in rest homes or for patients receiving home care.
DIALYSIS PATIENTS
CAN I STILL GET DIALYSIS AT THE EUROPE HOSPITALS?
Yes, your dialysis will continue as normal.
CAN SOMEONE ACCOMPANY ME DURING MY TREATMENT?
You can find the rules about the accompanying person by clicking here.
IS MY CONSULTATION WITH THE NEPHROLOGIST STILL TAKING PLACE?
Yes, our consultations are open under optimal security conditions.
CAN SOMEONE ACCOMPANY ME TO MY CONSULTATION?
You can find the rules about the accompanying person by clicking here.
PREGNANT WOMEN
ARE MY PREGNANCY-RELATED MEDICAL EXAMS STILL TAKING PLACE?
Yes, our consultations are open under optimal security conditions.
CAN MY COMPANION SLEEP IN THE MATERNITY WARD?
DO PRENATAL LESSONS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS STILL TAKE PLACE?
Group classes (such as rehabilitation classes in the pool, postnatal classes, etc.) can be resumed, except for prenatal aquagym.
Should I get tested before I give birth?
Systematic screening has been discontinued on both sites for scheduled hospitalizations, One Day, the Sleep Lab, pregnant women at the end of their pregnancy, etc. Only symptomatic patients entering the emergency room and even asymptomatic patients for the geriatric unit are tested preventively (rapid test).