The National Nurses Union (SNE) defended this Sunday the hiring of more nurses at INEM for a faster and more qualified response, welcoming the decision of these professionals to join the Urgent Patient Guidance Centers (CODU).
In a statement, the SNE says that the decision by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) to start integrating nurses into the CODU to perform different functions “will allow us to safeguard the quality, speed and safety of INEM’s response in all its aspects (green lane coronary heart disease, stroke, trauma, sepsis and pre-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest)”.
“The inclusion of nurses in the CODU will allow for a faster and more qualified response to emergencies, reinforcing the ability to triage and adequately forward urgent situations”, reads the statement.
The SNE recalls, on the other hand, that the union itself had already defended this measure in the most recent meeting with the INEM board of directors, on September 26th.
At the time, according to , it was also advocated the creation of a nursing direction in conjunction with the INEM board of directors, the opening of competitions to reinforce nurses and specialist nurses in different areas, medical emergency helicopter service and the number and payment of overtime.
CODU and their importance
The Urgent Patient Guidance Centers (CODU) are operational units integrated into the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) in Portugal, responsible for answering and managing medical emergency calls made through the European emergency number, 112.
CODU’s main function is to assess the severity of each reported situation, coordinate the appropriate response and activate the necessary means of assistance, such as ambulances, emergency and resuscitation medical vehicles (VMER) or medical emergency helicopters. These centers have qualified professionals, such as emergency medical technicians, who use specific protocols to ensure quick and efficient service, guiding users until help arrives on site.
Additionally, CODUs can also provide basic life support instructions to callers, helping to save lives while emergency responders are on the way. Its action is essential to ensure a quick and effective response in medical emergency situations, contributing to the protection and well-being of the population.
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