Faced with a lack of emergency doctors, the Auch hospital center adapts emergency reception

In a context of shortage of emergency doctors, which affects many hospitals in France, the hospital center of the commune of Auch, located in Gers, is forced to put in place temporary measures to maintain care coverage. emergency in the days to come. In the midst of expansion and redevelopment work, the Emergency Department must redouble its efforts to guarantee care for all patients in the area, particularly with the All Saints' Day long weekend approaching.

An accentuated medical deficit in the Auch emergency room

The Auch hospital, like many establishments in France, is experiencing a shortage of emergency doctors. Although this complex situation does not lead to temporary closure of emergency departments, it complicates the care of patients in emergency departments as well as the organization of teams. The Mobile Emergency and Resuscitation Service (SMUR) line, essential for serious emergencies, will remain in operation contrary to what has been observed in other French hospitals. The Auch hospital center has, however, announced that it is obliged to adapt patient care to maintain the level of emergency care despite the lack of doctors.

Temporary measures introduced for emergencies

In this context, several temporary measures have been put in place to adapt the operation of the emergency department and guarantee continuity of care:

Prior call at 15 : It is recommended that patients contact 15 before going to the emergency room, especially on days when only one doctor is present. This precaution aims to better manage the influx of patients and to direct the most urgent cases as a priority.

Redirection of non-urgent patients : Patients whose condition does not require immediate treatment will be redirected. This decision will make it possible to concentrate available medical resources on the most critical cases and optimize the time of healthcare teams.

Coordination with local services : The Short-Term Hospitalization Unit (UHCD) at the Auch hospital center uses additional devices to relieve the emergency department. The Coordination Support System (DAC) as well as the Home Hospitalization service (HAD) are mobilized, as are the hospitalization services of the Auch hospital center and local health establishments, to manage certain patients outside of emergencies.

A worrying but controlled situation

These measures aim to ensure the continuity of urgent care for the residents of Auch and the surrounding area while adapting to current constraints. The ongoing work in the emergency department, which is expected to be completed at the end of November, adds a level of complexity to the management of this already strained service.

Emergency work

As part of improving infrastructure and optimizing patient reception and care, work will take place in the Emergency department.

This work includes the expansion and redevelopment of several areas of the Emergency department:

• Optimization of emergency department space to create 2 additional examination rooms : in order to better respond to the increase in the number of patients, two new examination rooms will be set up.
• Expansion of the IAO (Reception and Orientation Nurse) office : this redevelopment aims to provide a more functional space for welcoming and guiding patients.
• Expansion by pooling of the medical-care work area : the area dedicated to nursing staff will be enlarged to improve exchanges within the team and preserve professional secrecy.

The work began on September 10 and will last until November 30. During this period, the Emergency Department is temporarily moved to the Short-Term Hospitalization Unit (UHCD)also located on the ground floor and adjoining the Emergency Department. This move results in a reduction in waiting and surveillance areas, and a new orientation route has been put in place for the public.