RE: Violindog2 Jun 2020 09:36
Hi TF and all . I'm well thanks as are my family. The covid patients admitted to intensive care are falling rapidly and this is reflected by my friends in many other units. The death rate once in ITU has fallen to about 21 precent from 50 . This is due to the learning curve, not new treatments.
The major problem moving forward is the covid patients take up to four weeks in ITU , many longer. The vast majority of the ITU s simply don't have enough side rooms to put these patients into to isolate them. You only need one extra patient than the number of side rooms and the whole unit needs to be closed to clean admissions. Unless the government places these PTS in one central hub, ie the nitengale hospital, you will have a long lag time until normal service resumes.
Second major issue is PPE will need to be worn until an effective vaccine. Plan is for weekly testing of staff and elective PTS being tested post a voluntary 14 day isolation. But I could be tested on Monday, yet be infective at the end of the week. No logic. Unions from all sides are demanding full PPE for staff , but it's so difficult to work in . The heat is dreadful and many are getting pressure damage on their noses from the tight masks. Staff are planning to leave they are so tired, especially the EU staff with the travel situation.
As for SCLP, it needs some life support as well ; )