A LARGE number of presentations to the emergency department at Shoalhaven Hospital last Friday sent the hospital into bed block, forcing hospital management to send text messages to staff requesting anyone available for extra hours.
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The text message called for any nurses able to take on extra hours and said simply said “No beds, desperate for staff.”
During the day a number of ambulance crews were also stuck at the hospital unable to transfer patients to beds.
It is understood Medical Ward B and the 23-hour ward, inside the hospital were closed at the time.
Shoalhaven Hospital general manager Ian Power attributed the problem to more than 90 presentations to the hospital’s emergency department on the day, including 35 by ambulance.
“That was a significantly high proportion of patients via ambulance,” he said.
“The patients had a range of ailments and were not specifically related to the heat.
“As we always advise the community, whether a patient arrives via ambulance or walks in, all are triaged and seen according to their medical urgency, meaning the most seriously ill patients are always treated first.”
He said hospital staff work incredibly hard to minimise occasions of longer than expected wait times.
“We always employ escalation strategies to avoid delays in times of high demand,” he said.
“Staff also work around the clock to ensure shifts are suitably covered with the appropriate number of staff required.”
He said group text messages were issued as a normal method of communication to staff, particularly casual and part-timers, interested in covering shifts.
“It is normal practice to close areas of the hospital where demand declines, like the 23-hour ward on Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.
“Just as it is to reopen areas in times of higher or unexpected demand, as was the case last week.
“The 23-hour ward was kept open all weekend to accommodate the increase in demand – hence the group text for staff, which is part of regular planning for such occurrences.”
He said hospital management continually reviewed the demand for services to ensure resources are appropriately allocated and seasonal bed adjustments can be made.
“The winter months traditionally see an increase in demand for inpatient beds, while the summer/holiday period sees a surge in demand for the emergency department,” he said.
“Because of the easing of demand on inpatient beds following the end of the busy winter period, Medical Ward B (12 beds) is not required as a stand-alone ward until next year’s lead up to winter.
“Some of these beds and staff are reallocated to other areas in the hospital during this time, enabling increased bed availability in other areas which experience increased demand over the holiday period.”
He said there had been no impact on patient access or quality of care provided at Shoalhaven and that would continue.
