NAKO health study resumes investigations
Due to the pandemic in Germany, the NAKO Health Study had temporarily closed its study centers for test persons and visitors. The study center Berlin-Nord stopped inviting participants as well. This preventive measure was meant to protect employees and participants. With the gradual easing of the restrictions, a controlled resumption of the scientific investigation is now possible.
"The time of the shutdown was used for important projects", says Dr. Kerstin Wirkner, Study Center Director in Leipzig and spokeswoman for the NAKO Study Center Directors. "Amongst other things, a new COVID 19 survey instrument, was developed. In addition, we have prepared our staff for the new challenges, trained them well and developed a concept that – in accordance with the local hygiene and disinfection plans and the SARS-CoV-2 guidelines of the NAKO member institutions – enables us to define necessary protective measures and implement them in all 18 study centers".
What has changed for the participants?
In order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the NAKO hygiene and disinfection measures have been expanded. In all of the NAKO study centers, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be upheld between participants, guests and employees. Wearing a mouth and nose protection is mandatory. Plexiglas and partition walls have been installed and all contact surfaces are repeated daily disinfected. The work and protective clothing of the examination personnel will be changed at prescribed intervals. In addition, the rooms are cleaned and ventilated in accordance with appropriate quality standards.
New for the participants are the additional COVID19 questionnaires used while making an appointment and a self-assessment on the day of examination. Individual questions and concerns of NAKO participants will be discussed in advance by telephone in order to be able to implement any further measures that may be necessary to protect the participants* and the study center staff.
Further informationen
Press contact
NAKO Health Study
Glorianna Bisognin-Nechwatal
+49 6221-426 2061
presse@nako.de
