Epidemic Management in the Emergency. Protection Measures, Cost and Compliance with Safety Protocols of the Employees of the Health Units. The Case of the General University Hospital of Heraklion “Venizeleio”, the Management and Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that has plagued all of humanity for the past year is still ongoing, leading to millions of deaths and demonstrating how vulnerable the health mechanisms of even the most developed countries are to tackling the existing health crisis. Aim: The present research aims to show that General Hospital «Venizeleio» in Heraklion at Crete, according to the views of its employees, managed the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on the observance of measures, safety protocols as well as the issue of costs in the broadest sense. Material and method: The sample of the research consisted of employees of General Hospital «Venizeleio» in Heraklion at Crete. The participants numbered 120 people, who came from all wards of the hospital. The research applied was quantitative and the research tool used was the questionnaire. Data were analyzed according to the statistical program SPSS. Results: The results of the research showed that «Venizeleio» Hospital managed the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, as the staff was trained and informed, had access to Personal Protection Measures and any deficiencies that arose, were effectively addressed. In addition, the research showed that the cost of human lives and material costs are significant and related to the economic situation of the Greek state. In the future, it is supported by the participants in the research, that «Venizeleio» Hospital will be better prepared to face a similar or bigger health crisis, a view that does not seem to apply to the Greek state. Conclusions: The Greek health system must be strengthened, there must be investments in the health sector that concern every aspect of it. The Greek state needs to invest in science and technology to provide better health services and develop prevention to deal with any other future crisis.