As the end-of-year holidays approach, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Paca) is intensifying its efforts to raise awareness among the population about “good use of emergencies”. During a press conference, several ARS officials (1) outlined the challenges to be met during this period when winter epidemics of flu, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis coexist.
A predictable influx to the emergency room
Yann Bubien, regional director of ARS Paca, recalled that the end-of-year holidays represent a particularly sensitive period, marked at hospital level by a closure of beds and a reduction in activity, and therefore tension in terms of of care provision. “Caregivers legitimately take a rest and want to spend time with family. But during this period, we have to deal with the combination of winter epidemics (read box).”
Côte d'Ivoire residents travel, families get together, and these gatherings encourage the transmission of viruses, increasing the number of consultations in community medicine and visits to emergency rooms. “This situation puts additional pressure on the health system, requiring anticipation and reinforced coordination to guarantee access to care.”
And added that to date the situation is under control. “The 49 emergency services in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region are fully operational and there is no particular tension in the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes.”
A care access service (SAS) to improve patient care
Faced with this reality, Yann Bubien encouraged the population to remember the essential actions: “As a priority, you must call your treating doctor if he is available. If this is not the case, a map on sante.fr (1) lists the places of care open without an appointment. You must then contact by telephone to the places of care, before going there, and if no offer is available, you can call 15 to be directed and find out if you should go to the emergency room.
Since October 2024, all departments in the Paca region have benefited from an access to care service (SAS) accessible by 15. Concretely, a regulator puts patients in contact with a doctor who assesses the situation and can provide advice, referral to a suitable medical consultation or triggering appropriate means, such as an ambulance or a home visit. “ This system allows everyone to obtain an immediate response in the event of an emergency or referral to an available health professional.”specified Anthony Valdez, director of the organization of care. “This service is crucial to guarantee rapid and efficient support.”
A reinforced system for permanent outpatient care (PDSA)
To cope with the increase in demand during the holidays, the system of permanent outpatient care available in the evenings, weekends and public holidays (PDSA) is also reinforced and complements the SAS with the mobilization of general practitioners in town, the opening of on-call medical centers, the strengthening of urgent medical aid resources (Samu, Firefighters) and the coordination ensured by Center 15. “This organization aims to ensure that all residents and tourists can access the necessary care during this critical period “, added Augustin Viard, director of local care.
1. The Santé.fr directory lists more than 750,000 healthcare professionals and establishments throughout France. It makes it easy to find a care offer adapted to your situation thanks to a search by type (general practitioner, dental surgeon, university hospital, pharmacy, EHPAD), by location (precise address, department, all of France) and by specific need (convention, disability situation).
Influenza and bronchiolitis in epidemic phase in Paca
Flu
“The Paca region has just entered the epidemic phase. Syndromic and virological indicators are increasing sharply, at levels close to those observed last year at the same period », Warns Olivier Reilhes, director of public and environmental health at the ARS.
According to Public Health France, as of December 17, emergency activity linked to flu and flu-like symptoms continued to increase in the Paca region: the number of visits to emergencies for flu/flu-like symptoms has almost tripled in 3 weeks and the number of hospitalizations after going to the emergency room increased by 70%.
Bronchiolitis
The Paca region has been in an epidemic phase for 4 weeks. “ Syndromic and virological indicators continue to increase sharply, to levels close to those observed last year at the same period.» From December 9 to 15, 548 visits to the emergency room for bronchiolitis were recorded, or 21% of visits among children under 2 years old (compared to 15% the previous week).
«We are close to the epidemic peak. In the territory, the situation seems to be under control and is undoubtedly the result of the immunization campaign for newborns, launched two years ago, via the preventive treatment Beyfortus®. »Last year, in the Paca region, more than 9,800 infants received this Beyfortus® treatment after leaving the maternity ward, or more than 72% of newborns over this period.
Covid-19
To date, epidemic activity linked to Covid-19 remains low. “But we must remain vigilant because the circulation of Covid-19 remains uncertain and we see epidemic waves at different times of the year. »
The importance of vaccination
Representatives of ARS Paca recalled the crucial importance of vaccination, and more particularly against influenza and Covid-19. “They concern the same populations at risk and can be carried out at the same time or separately», Underlines Olivier Reilhes, director of public and environmental health at the ARS. As seasonal flu enters the epidemic phase, the ARS notes at this stage an insufficient use of vaccination: only 30% (460,000 people) of people eligible for flu vaccination in Paca have been vaccinated, i.e. a decline of almost 10% compared to last year at the same time.“It is therefore crucial that eligible people, particularly those most at risk, are vaccinated without delay to strengthen the fight against the epidemic. »
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