Saturated emergencies: at the Rennes University Hospital, “it continues to get worse” – Rennes

Liberal doctors on strike, rebound in hospitalizations linked to COVID-19, active circulation of bronchiolitis, epidemic phase of the flu: hospitals are overwhelmed. “It is not us who suffer the most, but the patients”, testifies a nursing source at the Rennes University Hospital. ” The current situation ? It keeps getting worse. Where they could stay 12 hours waiting, we go to 24 hours”. Almost a day, on average, waiting on stretchers. “They are in the corridor, against each other, there is no respect for privacy”. A situation that was also noted, with alarm, the CGT-CHU union in Rennes.

Risky situation at Rennes University Hospital

In a document, broadcast on their networks on November 29, they called for the right to alert the emergency service. 42 people, arrivals from 8 a.m., requiring care, 20 in the corridors, 24 hour delay for a bed, a full transfer room… “There is a high risk for the safety of patients and medical and paramedical staff” , communicates the union. In addition to the request for additional beds, there is a need for reinforcements.

Basically, the concern of the general practitioners’ strike on December 1 and 2. The Brittany Regional Health Agency reminds us of the importance of turning to 15 before going to the emergency room. Sufficient measures? “It’s so fluctuating,” shares the CHU. This week, adult emergency room arrivals averaged 200 people. An important number. A nursing source says some patients can wait several days before seeing a specialist. As a bonus, “they have heavy care, so necessarily they are not released quickly”.

A lack of beds and staff

The CHU explains: “30 to 40% of people who come to the emergency room must be hospitalized. The greater the influx, the greater the need, but the services are saturated. You have to find beds to be hospitalized in the right place”. The territorial white plan, set up by ARS Bretagne on November 30, should help collaboration between establishments, both public and private. In particular, patient transfers. The beds, however, are full in most places. In Redon or Vitré, for example, emergencies are regulated, often closed at night, and beds are closed for lack of professionals.

To unclog the emergencies, saturated, the CHU repeats it: go through 15. “It limits small entries which do not require hospitalization”, confides a nursing source. “It will not require beds, but caregivers. Except that there are no improvements on either side. Another concern, at 15, “there is an overload of work”, shares Nathalie Loinsard, general secretary of CGT-CHU Rennes. In the morning alone, 100 calls more than the average. “The delays to have a doctor for an online consultation were 2 to 3 hours”.