Doctors warn of renewed overcrowding in pediatric intensive care units this winter
Following the dramatic situation in children's intensive care units a year ago, doctors are warning of renewed overloads this winter. After the long summer weather, the hospitals have not yet been overwhelmed by a wave of infections. However, the shortage of nursing staff and the number of beds available have not changed in any way compared to last winter, they said on Thursday at the annual congress of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (Divi). "In our services, we are largely occupied with coordinating occupancy. We no longer have time to look after patients," said Ellen Heimberg, deputy spokesperson for the Pediatric Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine section of the Divi.
At the moment, there is not yet a wave of RSV in the hospitals. However, this is also likely to happen this winter. "Even if we don't see this wave of infections rolling over us at the moment, the problems we saw last year are exactly the same," emphasized Heimberg. Larger hospitals in metropolitan areas, which are responsible for the acute care of many people, are particularly affected. "We are seeing that we are losing many more nursing staff because they are exhausted. That is something we are extremely afraid of. If this problem gets any worse, we don't know how we will be able to provide patients with the care they need."
The impending wave of infection this winter, primarily RSV, poses a significant concern for pediatric intensive care units, echoing the challenges faced last year. Despite the absence of current infections, the physicians emphasize that the impending distress is just as imminent. The overload of the units, exacerbated by staff shortages and limited bed availability, is predicted to strain resources, much like the previous winter.
Source: www.ntv.de
