SUMMARY
Background: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is spreading rapidly worldwide, with devastating consequences for patients, healthcare workers, health systems, and economies. Between October 31st and November 1st, a comprehensive testing was performed in Slovakia in order to identify people who were infectious at that time and could spread the virus. Subsequent isolation of positively tested individuals was expected to significantly reduce the spread of the disease in the community.

Methods: The main goal of the research was to determine the readiness of healthcare professionals for nationwide testing and to perform a SWOT - analysis - to identify strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and threats of nationwide testing.
Results: Our research has shown lack of preparedness of healthcare professionals for comprehensive testing. However, the Institute for Prevention and Intervention played an important role in the preparation of healthcare professionals for nationwide testing.
Conclusion: Health-care workers who are at the frontlines in such pandemics, are the most vulnerable. Extraordinary measures may be needed for health-care preparedness, to reduce morbidity and mortality of COVID-19.
Key words: health professionals, preparedness, COVID-19 testing, SWOT analysis, nationwide testing.
Lek Obz, 2021, 70 (12): 464-468

Mariana MRAZOVA 1,2,5, Barbora MRAZOVA 3, Zsolt MANYA 4, Michal MRAZ 3, Andrea MLYNAROVA 1,4, Vladimir KRCMERY 2,5

1 Institute for Prevention and Intervention, St. Elisabeth University, Bratislava, Slovakia
2 Slovak Tropical Institute, Bratislava
3 UNHCR Camp Lesbos, Greece
4 City University of New York, USA
5 Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia

Cite:
MRAZOVA M., MRAZOVA B., MANYA Z. et al: Preparedness of healthcare professionals for nationwide COVID-19 testing in Slovakia. Lek Obz, 2021, 70 (12): 464-468