Khanh Hoa General Hospital has taken several solutions to patient overload which has become a significant challenge for the health sector in the recent years...
Khanh Hoa General Hospital has taken several solutions to curb patient overload which has become a significant challenge for the health sector in the recent years.
 The Department of Cardiology & Geriatrics is crowded with patients.
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In the recent 5 years, the number of inpatients and referrals to the Department of Cardiology & Geriatrics at Khanh Hoa General Hospital has remained high at 220-250/ day, nearly doubling the capacity (140 beds). Temporary solutions have included reducing length of stay for patients in minor conditions, reports Dr. Tran Vo Minh Son, Chief of the Department of Cardiology & Geriatrics.
The same thing has also happened at the departments of Oncology and Pediatrics with patients exceeding the capacity. Therefore, patients have shared beds. Extra beds have been added in the corridors of the 2nd of 3rd floors. The patient overload has caused not only discomfort to patients but also work overload to medical staff, affecting medical treatment.
10 out of 18 doctors are currently in charge of medical care and treatment at the Department of Pediatrics. The others are taking professional development courses or working at the Department of Polyclinic, according to Dr. Pham Enga, Chief of the Department of Pediatrics. The Department of Cardiology & Geriatrics has only 12 doctors, so 5 more are needed. Staffing shortage has caused work stress, especially when some are on work leave or taking professional development courses, says Dr. Tran Vo Minh Son.
In addition, the Department of Polyclinic has also experienced patient overload. According to the statistics in the first 5 months, 1,500 arrivals, up 200 compared with the plan, at the Department of Cardiology & Geriatrics; 2,000 arrivals, up nearly 1,000 at the Department of Pediatrics ; and 1,000 arrivals, up nearly 300 at the Department of Oncology are examined and treated per month.
Nguyen Van Xang, Director of Khanh Hoa General Hospital says thanks to the concern of Khanh Hoa provincial leaders and Khanh Hoa Department of Health, the hospital beds have increased to 1,000 from 650. However, the number of inpatients has still remained high at 1,200-1,300, resulting in overload, especially in the departments mentioned above. Over the past years, the hospital has undertaken several solutions to temporarily curb the current overload such as using corridors and work offices to make room for patient beds; adding extra beds, opening medical service centers, etc.
For a long-term solution, Khanh Hoa General Hospital has submitted a project on separating the Department of Cardiology & Geriatrics into the Department of Geriatrics and Cardiology Center; building more training centers and Trauma & Orthopedics Center. If the project is approved, the hospital plans to invite leading experts to the centers for technical training and transfer. The onsite training is a perfect option which can help minimize time away from work for medical staff of Khanh Hoa General Hospital and other hospitals in Khanh Hoa.Patients will also benefit from high-tech treatment provided by the central hospitals. Besides, community treatment services will help reduce patient overload at the hospital. While waiting for the project to be approved, Khanh Hoa General Hospital has provided professional development training for its staff by inviting local and foreign experts to the hospital for technical transfer.
Reportedly, Khanh Hoa Department of Health has made a project on founding a Pediatrics Hospital, Oncology Hospital and Nha Trang City Hospital. Oncology Hospital is under construction. Moreover, Khanh Hoa Department of Health is making a scheme on medical human resource development, period 2016-2020, with many preferential polices for doctors. Hopefully, the measures can help ease patient overload at Khanh Hoa General Hospital soon.
Cat Dan
Translated by N.T
