The Forbach hospital is hit hard by the flu. The emergency department has been dealing with this seasonal illness for almost a month. Compared to last year, there are 4 times more visits to the emergency room. The “Hospital under tension” system had to be triggered.
Sound No. 1 – The number of emergency room visits up 33% due to the flu
The emergency department is managed by Doctor Abdoulaye Sidibé. He and his team see patients arriving in large numbers every day.
Usually, it’s 135 passages per day, but following this flu epidemic, we have a large number of visitors with 180 passages per day.
On December 26, 209 people were even taken into care. Management, represented by Rémi Lasnierhad to take action.
For example, the establishment of a daily hospital crisis unit, which aims to regulate and streamline the patient journey. We have also opened additional beds, in a very exceptional way, thanks to the commitment of the staff.
Elderly people almost systematically hospitalized
The flu continues to spread at high speed. All age groups are affected, even if two populations are more closely monitored.
It is especially patients aged 65 and over who are the most vulnerable group due to comorbidities. In pediatric emergencies, there is also tension because of the flu.
The particularity of the flu this year is a longer convalescence. For Doctor Sidibé, you need to monitor the symptoms.
We do not hesitate to call 15 if major symptoms appear, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Faced with this situation, hospitals are helping each other in conjunction with the ARS.
The Forbach hospital, for example, helped the Saint-Avold hospital, which needed 20 NIV, Non-Invasive Ventilation, and therefore the Forbach hospital had available stocks, the Saint-Avold hospital had needs, and we helped our comrades from Saint-Avold to respond to this crisis situation.
Wearing a mask is strongly recommended at Forbach hospital. The emergency manager wants to give simple advice to avoid getting sick.
This starts with vaccination, apart from vaccination, there are barrier measures which mainly concern hand hygiene, not rubbing your eyes or mouth.
Even though the flu is viral, infectious complications and comorbidities can lead to death. A few cases have been confirmed in Marie-Madeleine.
