‘For us it has never been gone’, is a recurring response to the question of how healthcare institutions look at the growing number of infections, according to a tour by RTV Drenthe of healthcare institutions in the province. “Everything we can do and can influence, we do. You have to stay alert, and we have been all this time”, ZZWD director Mariska Roeters responds. “We have always remained in the utmost state of alert, because the virus has never left”, Zorggroep Drenthe writes in a response.
This feeling is also alive at Interzorg. Lonneke van den Bergh on behalf of Interzorg: “Although our (hygiene) measures have been in full force in the past period, we realize that more customization will be required of us in the near future. We feel the responsibility for the health of vulnerable clients who us live or stay, but also for the employees and volunteers who work for us. “
Different with a second wave
Delivering customization and looking at the situation is possible because we have learned from the first corona outbreak. For example, Interzorg and healthcare provider Dignis are setting up a test street, because testing remains important. “We are preparing ourselves to start up our own test street, as we had in the first half of 2020. Probably in collaboration with other healthcare organizations. Because sufficient test capacity remains a crucial condition for us in the fight against the corona virus” , says Van den Bergh of Interzorg.
ZZWD also focuses on preventive and fast action. Roeters: “We have weeks of protective equipment in-house and have also set up our own test street.” You can make an outbreak more limited by looking at the environment. Roeters: “We also look at the villages where we are located and the environment.” For example, if there are many infections in a village, a mouth mask is mandatory when visiting the nursing home in that village.
Opportunities
In recent weeks, more infections have been detected in nursing homes. Six residents of De Omloop nursing home in Norg have died of the virus in recent days. As many as seventeen of the 24 other elderly people are infected. Four employees also have the corona virus. In addition, not all test results have been received yet. “It is an extremely nasty virus, within our walls,” says Inge Pesch. She is medical director of Dignis, the healthcare provider of which De Omloop is part. “The virus spreads very quickly, despite all the measures we have taken after the first infection.”
“We cannot prevent an infection, but we can make an outbreak more limited,” said Roeters of ZZWD. We have learned from the first wave. Nursing homes, for example, now also see opportunities to do things differently. Roeters: “You can act faster and the faster you act, the better. We do think in terms of opportunities.”
Quality of life
In addition to safety, Interzorg also considers quality of life important. “At the same time, we believe it is important to continue to support people in corona time to continue their lives as they wish. Per location, per department and perhaps even per client, we therefore look together for the right balance between safety and quality of life. We are constantly discussing this with each other. Every situation requires a different approach from us. “
Pesch van Dignis thinks that too. “We do allow family with people who have corona. Of course we make sure that it is safe and that they are protected. But we think family visits are important, because in many situations you do not know which way things are going. That is precisely why it is nice to to be together. “
Flu or corona
With the ‘R in the month, the number of people with the flu also increases. How do healthcare institutions view this? Roeters: “What we do is keep track of the temperature. Every day. And remain alert. If there are any doubts, we test a resident.” ZZWD is therefore happy with its own test street. “Of course flu symptoms can be of the same nature. We always take complaints seriously. We cannot determine whether it is flu or corona, so we have to test.”
At Interzorg they give advice to residents: “We offer the flu vaccination to clients and employees every year. This year we are of course making an extra urgent appeal to make use of it.”
Doors locked?
“Closed again? No, that is not going to happen, there will never be support for it”, Roeters responds. Residents of ZZWD are not afraid of this either. “The residents are calm and there is no fear. Let’s not forget that residents are also responsible themselves. They also determine who they receive as visitors.”
Interzorg also sees this: “Naturally, everyone finds it exciting. But with the experiences of the first half of this year in mind, we are confident that we are well prepared. We also get that confidence from our environment. We have received many positive responses about our approach in recent months, for example from clients and their loved ones. Despite the fact that the measures brought about different emotions, there was also a lot of understanding. We are very grateful for this. Because more than ever we have to work together to do.”
Also read:
– .
