The emergency department is for emergencies only, but some people still don’t appear to understand that.
Perhaps common sense just isn’t that common.
Jokes aside, please do not head to the emergency department unless you require A&E care. Here’s why.
People who don’t need A&E care not to go to emergency department
Hospitals have been seeing a high number of patients whose conditions do not require emergency care, healthcare bosses said in a joint statement on Friday (21 Oct).
Although manpower has been redeployed to better support the high attendance at hospital emergency departments, capacity remains to be freed up.
“We have been monitoring the situation closely and adjusting our response accordingly to optimise resources for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients,” said the group chairmen of the medical boards of SingHealth, National Healthcare Group and National University Health System.
To optimise healthcare resources, the hospitals have a triage process to avoid unnecessary admissions and to ensure appropriate rite-siting.
But why is this issue in the spotlight again now?
Since the start of the year, emergency departments have been experiencing high volumes of patients.
During infection waves such as the current one we’re in, the situation goes from bad to worse. Currently, the waiting time for admission at some hospitals has surged to as high as 50 hours.
Priority for patients with more serious conditions
Priority will be given to patients with more serious conditions who require admission. Those with potentially life-threatening or medically urgent conditions will receive the highest priority, while sicker patients requiring close monitoring will get a bed sooner based on acuity and priority.
Patients with lower acuity conditions will see a longer wait time to transfer to the ward.
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To free up more capacity, some non-urgent elective surgeries and admissions are also being deferred. This helps to preserve hospital beds and manpower for patients with more serious conditions.
The group chairmen of the medical boards also urged people not to visit the emergency departments unless it is for life-threatening situations.
That includes children as well.
“For common and minor medical conditions, they should visit GPs and polyclinics, or consider teleconsultation with their doctor,” the statement said.
What happens then, if you have a non-emergency condition but still head to the emergency department anyway?
Patients who walk into emergency departments with non-emergency conditions may be diverted to other urgent care clinics or primary care clinics for further assessment.
This is to prioritise the resources for those who need acute hospital care.
Even if its COVID-19, if all you need is a test or a review of acute respiratory infection symptoms, you may visit the Public Health Preparedness Clinics for further assessment instead.
Where appropriate, stable patients will also be referred to home recover programmes, including NUHS@Home, SGH@Home and community sites such as COVID-19 treatment facilities.
There are dedicated facilities and manpower to support the care of patients with COVID-19 as well.
Hospitals have set aside beds that can be converted to isolation beds, as well as holding facilities for suspect cases pending their results.
Alternative arrangements, where clinically appropriate, are also offered.
What exactly are these alternative arrangements?
They’re mostly remote forms of care, which include teleconsultation, telerehabilitation, telemonitoring, remote prescribing and delivery of medication.
Staff Welfare
“As part of the national efforts against COVID-19, our healthcare team has held the line for Singapore with significant personal sacrifices,” said the statement.
“While we work hard to provide care for our patients, we recognise our staff need time to rest and recharge.”
Emphasising on the zero-tolerance stance towards staff abuse, they also added that a significant part of staff burnout is due to abuse, aside from the heavy workload and long working hours.
Protocols are in place for staff to safely seek redress from abuse they may face from patients and caregivers.
Staffing needs are also managed through advance planning and staggered rostering of leave, ensuring that all staff are able to go on leave by turns.
Noting the prolonged duration of the pandemic, the group chairmen of the medical boards added that efforts to monitor staff wellbeing have also been stepped up.
“We provide mental health support where required, and encourage staff to support and look out for one another.”
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