ACEM President Dr Peter Allely said that EDs experience a surge in patient presentation numbers during the flu season, leading to longer wait times and increased pressure on the ED and hospital. However, he said that as many hospitals across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia operate at or even over 100 per cent of their capacity, there was little to no capacity to handle situations such as winter surges.
“Emergency departments are always open for people needing emergency care,” Dr Allely said. “EDs have been designed to absorb short-term surges in demand. However, the pressure no longer comes in waves. For many EDs, it is constant.”
“A ‘surge’ is supposed to describe exceptional pressure. In many EDs, those conditions are now experienced every day. Surge capacity only works if there is actual capacity to surge into,” Dr Allely said.
“What we’re seeing is a health system under extreme pressure. We know that many people are waiting far too long in our waiting rooms, in ramped ambulances and in our emergency departments. They’re waiting because our hospitals are full, and demand is outstripping supply.”
“Bed block is a symptom of system-wide dysfunction and inadequate system capacity to manage known demand,” Dr Allely said.
“There are system-wide solutions to these problems, as shown in ACEM’s report on Access block: a review of potential solutions. Evidence shows that these solutions can help health services cope with future surges in demand.”
Dr Allely advised people to take steps to protect their health and said that those seeking care for non-immediately life-threatening conditions would likely experience longer waits.
“I’d encourage everyone to get their yearly flu shot and avoid contact with other people if you have the flu. People who are at higher risk of severe illness are encouraged to stay vigilant of symptoms and consult your GP or urgent care centre if your symptoms are not life-threatening,” Dr Allely said.
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
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