The emergency departments at García de Orta Hospital in Almada have seen a large influx of patients in recent weeks, but according to the hospital department, which serves about 350,000 users, more than half of them are non-emergency.
The hospital, which met on Tuesday with General Emergency Services (SUG) team leaders after they resigned over disagreement with the December duty schedule, ensures that despite increased demand and overcrowding, SUG “managed to respond to all users within its area of influence, respecting the waiting times recommended in the Manchester triage for urgent and emergency patients.”
“HGO SUG has seen a larger influx of users in recent weeks, with about 56% representing non-urgent situations (green and blue wristbands),” the hospital said in a statement.
In the note, the hospital calls for the rational use of emergency services, recommending that the people of Almada and Seixal (Setúbal district) in case of acute illness, first contact the SNS 24 line, seek advice from the attending physician or contact the Health Center for more detailed assistance.
“In this way, longer waiting times can be avoided,” emphasizes the hospital, warning that the influx of users with acute non-emergency illnesses to the emergency department “impairs care for truly urgent and urgent situations, prolongs service time and unnecessarily puts at risk” . everyone present in the waiting room to other respiratory viruses capable of contracting other infections.”
The rational use of emergency services, advocated by Hospital García de Orta, is essential to facilitate access for users in a serious, urgent and urgent situation, which HGO’s differentiated emergency services specialists are ready for.
On Monday, the heads of the Main Emergency Service brigade resigned from their posts in protest against the December scale, which they consider “below the minimum”, on Tuesday the hospital assured that measures were being taken to strengthen the brigade.
In a letter addressed to García de Orta, Clinical Director of the Hospital, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Emergency Department, the specialists explained that the planned schedule includes several days with below the minimum number of elements (only one or two elements) to ensure the proper functioning of the service.
“We cannot, as team leaders, internal medicine paramedics and physicians of this hospital, agree to lead the emergency team in the current working conditions and poor care conditions at SUG,” they stressed in an official letter released by the Independent Union. doctors (SIM).
The team leaders also added that the December scale, similar to the scales introduced in recent months, normalizes a team of four elements (or less), a number they consider insufficient to guarantee all the positions necessary for the proper functioning of the SUG and the provision of safe care. for patients and professionals.
Physicians also indicated that these four elements “often include colleagues who lack autonomy in practice.”
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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