the essential
Emergency departments are having to cope with an increase in the number of patients. Flu, winter viruses and closure of medical offices during the holidays explain this influx.
While winter viruses, including influenza, are actively circulating, attendance at adult emergency departments is experiencing a sharp increase. This is particularly the case in the emergency room of the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Toulouse.
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Since January 1, the Purpan and Rangueil sites have recorded more than 400 passages per day: 426 cumulative passages on Wednesday and 445 on Thursday, 80 of which concerned people aged over 75. These figures can be explained by the increase in respiratory pathologies, in particular influenza and Covid-19. Please note that for the moment, the situation remains stable in the pediatric emergency rooms of the Children's Hospital (170 visits for the day of Thursday).
“Two hours before speaking to a doctor”
The SAMU must also absorb a large number of calls. “We are in a complicated period. Between the holidays and the holidays, many medical practices are closed, the 15th is in high demand for calls relating to general medicine. Once the call is answered, the patient sometimes has to wait two hours before speaking to a doctor, things also get stuck, including in clinics. But it's no surprise, we are at the end of a system, we have lost our rank as a country of excellence. health When patients have to wait for hours, we exposes them to poor prognoses and complications, it’s proven,” points out Professor Vincent Bounes, head of SAMU 31 and deputy head of the emergency medicine center at Toulouse University Hospital.
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Do not go directly to the emergency room
Charlotte Hammel, Haute-Garonne deputy departmental director of the regional health agency (ARS Occitanie), notes that “if there are still hospitalization places, we must remain vigilant. It is important to apply barrier gestures ( wearing a mask in case of symptoms, regular hand disinfection) to limit the transmission of seasonal viruses, to have the reflex to first call your doctor – except in a life-threatening emergency – and to isolate yourself when you are contagious .
The ARS reminds patients that they must contact 15 before traveling to avoid overcrowding the emergency rooms. “This regulation allows access to appointments in on-call medical centers or in places organized for permanent outpatient care.”
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