Hospital association: Respiratory tract infections cause staff shortages in clinics
"In normal times, eight percent of the workforce is missing, now it's ten to twelve percent," said Gaß. "This poses major challenges for the clinics."
The first wards are having to suspend operations. "Some hospitals are already closing beds or wards again because they no longer have enough staff," said Gaß. In the past, hospitals often compensated for seasonal shortages with temporary staff. However, these temporary staff are "very expensive". "Many hospitals no longer have the money for this," said the DKG boss.
He looks to the coming months with concern. "We expect a further increase in infections among patients and staff in winter," says Gaß. After all, the flu wave "hasn't even really started yet", said Gaß. He warned against underestimating the flu. There were 25,000 deaths from influenza in Germany in 2018.
"To avoid overburdening the healthcare system, we are appealing to the population to get vaccinated in line with the recommendations," said Gaß.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that people over the age of 60, people with underlying illnesses, residents of care facilities and medical and nursing staff get an annual flu vaccination as well as an annual coronavirus booster vaccination. Both vaccines can be administered at the same time.
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Source: www.stern.de
