No entry. If you plan to visit a loved one these days at the hospital, you will be prevented. Indeed, the intercommunal hospital center (CHI) of the country of Cognac has prohibited visits (except on a case by case basis on medical advice). All of the scheduled activities have been suspended (with the exception of monitoring of pregnant women, childbirth, reception of newborns for continuity of vaccines and chemotherapy).
Indeed, the establishment launched its white plan since March 13. “We are preparing for crisis management”, summarizes Stéphane Jacob, the director. Obviously, the population also understood that something serious was happening: the attendance at the emergency departments had halved (30 people per day instead of 60).
CHI is not concerned with severe cases of coronavirus. Because it is classified among the establishments of “third line”, namely a local structure intended to sort and orient the patients (the CHU of Bordeaux and Poitiers are in first line, Angoulême in second line, Barbezieux also in third line). This mission is embodied by a tent, activated on Monday and set up a little before the entrance to the emergency room. “When people arrive by car, they stay in it and are asked about their state of health,” explains the director. If they are suspected of carrying Covid-19, then they are brought into the tent. Here, we sort out the simple cases and the others. If there is a respiratory syndrome, the patient is sent to hospital in Angoulême. “
Thus, the primary vocation of the Cognac hospital is not to welcome patients with the virus. However, the situation could change in a second step if the situation tightens. “We will be able to welcome coronavirus patients if Angoulême can no longer cope … It will be in an emergency and continuous surveillance service, which is a cut below resuscitation. The capacity has been increased from six to eight beds. “
Shortage of masks
In the end, the whole establishment is in working order: “We are just an emergency hospital,” summarizes Stéphane Jacob. We are outside the usual operating framework. We had to change everything. “
But like everywhere, we must face the shortage. “We have real difficulties in supplying masks and hydroalcoholic gel. Some stock remains, which has been boosted by donations and endowments from the Regional Health Agency. ARS gave us 3,600 masks. As we consume between 950 and 1,000 per day, this will keep us going for three and a half days. But what will we do when we run out of it? This health crisis is coupled with a supply crisis. It’s difficult to get equipment because the country is at a standstill. “
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The other structures
châteauneuf. The Châteauneuf hospital depends on that of Cognac. It has a structure for housing dependent elderly people. “Residents are monitored and we verify that there has been no contamination,” says Stéphane Jacob. But it is very complicated because it is a place of life, not structured for critical care. Our luck is to be backed by a hospital structure, so care could be more favorable, even if there is a lack of technical means. Orders have been issued. “
jarnac. The hospital also has a specialized house in Jarnac where multi-handicapped people are received. “There is a difficulty in taking charge,” notes the director of the CHI. All the families were contacted to find out if they wanted to welcome their loved one at home or keep them in the hospital but without a visit. Of the 28 patients, about a third left. “
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