Covid 19 Part XXVIII- 71,942 ROI(2,050 deaths) 51,824 NI (983 deaths) (28/11) Read OP

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Which crank was it this time?

You were busy?

If Tony Holohan had his way :pac:

Peter Flynt wrote: »

You asked for evidence so you could thrash it. . . oldest trick in the book regarding online forums like this one.

Genuinely laughed out loud at this one :pac:

growleaves wrote: »

Is it in a galaxy far far away?

By the way they were talking on Prime Time it’s probably on EGO

froog wrote: »

it seems they got bored of just liking each others posts and agreeing with each other all the time in the other thread.

But, that's what you and your own group do in this thread

Self awareness is not a strong point in this thread

Strumms wrote: »

I haven’t, I had a hospital appointment canceled all be it for now a minor issue.

I presume staff are PPE’d from head to toe ? Certainly seems so from photos. No excuses for patients or the public not wearing a mask and sanitizing hands.... they shouldn’t be let into any public area of a hospital without a mask and using sanitizer.

Only staff directly dealing with confirmed Covid positive patients wear the full PPE. If taking a swab or doing an aerosol generating procedure for a suspected case, also use full PPE.

If dealing with a known close contact (and often suspected cases) use plastic apron, gloves and eye protection along with hand hygiene measures. This could be an apron worn over a hospital uniform or even staff members’ own clothes. It’s far from full coverage.

Staff are not designated automatically as close contacts of each other even if working very long hours together side by side. Theory behind this is that they are wearing masks, performing hand hygiene and keeping 2 m apart.

However, in many situations, staff cannot be 2 m apart. How would healthcare workers stay two metres apart and turn a patient or do an invasive procedure? Still have masks on but longer periods and more shifts together, inevitably there will be lapses. The more exhausted and overstretched, the more inevitable that there will be lapses.

A certain level of complacency has set in. People who trembled and who were absolutely fastidious when putting on and taking off PPE have become more relaxed and maybe not quite as cautious. That’s human nature.

Overuse of derogation for staffing. Supposed to be an absolute last resort to maintain staffing levels, but it has become the answer when situations gets a bit stretched.

majcos wrote: »

Only staff directly dealing with confirmed Covid positive patients wear the full PPE. If taking a swab or doing an aerosol generating procedure for a suspected case, also use full PPE.

If dealing with a known close contact (and often suspected cases) use plastic apron, gloves and eye protection along with hand hygiene measures. This could be an apron worn over a hospital uniform or even staff members’ own clothes. It’s far from full coverage.

Staff are not designated automatically as close contacts of each other even if working very long hours together side by side. Theory behind this is that they are wearing masks, performing hand hygiene and keeping 2 m apart.

However, in many situations, staff cannot be 2 m apart. How would healthcare workers stay two metres apart and turn a patient or do an invasive procedure? Still have masks on but longer periods and more shifts together, inevitably there will be lapses. The more exhausted and overstretched, the more inevitable that there will be lapses.

A certain level of complacency has set in. People who trembled and who were absolutely fastidious when putting on and taking off PPE have become more relaxed and maybe not quite as cautious. That’s human nature.

Overuse of derogation for staffing. Supposed to be an absolute last resort to maintain staffing levels, but it has become the answer when situations gets a bit stretched.

In addition to above, lunch breaks seem to be an increasing problem.

Very little space within hospitals for staff breaks. Staff trying to spread out but that sort of space was/is not a priority. In fact some of it was taken away for other uses earlier in the pandemic. People sat outside for lunch in summer but will not do so now with rain and howling winds. Cannot eat with your mask on!

Stheno wrote: »

I'm familiar with the staff canteen in Tullamore which is a big enough space

Is that now overcrowded?

Tullamore is one the ‘newer’ hospitals in the country. Thanks to Brian Cowan, I believe. It is like a hotel foyer going in through the main doors. There are some older sections though as well.

It has over 1000 staff although not all would be working the same shifts.. Not sure how many main canteen can accommodate. Queues at hospital canteens are not unusual and whatever the capacity was before, it is likely reduced now. Regardless of having a canteen, it would not be typical for all staff to leave their units or departments to have break or lunch. It could be for some considered quite a walk away. Canteen could even be in a different building.

Sometimes not even time for staff to take a break and go to a canteen. Break times eaten in to by their workload. There are smaller break rooms within departments/wards/laboratories etc. but smaller break rooms are potentially disastrous.

majcos wrote: »

In addition to above, lunch breaks seem to be an increasing problem.

Very little space within hospitals for staff breaks. Staff trying to spread out but that sort of space was/is not a priority. In fact some of it was taken away for other uses earlier in the pandemic. People sat outside for lunch in summer but will not do so now with rain and howling winds. Cannot eat with your mask on!

Break times definitely a problem. Our staff area was adjusted to adhere social distancing which means chairs spread out and people eating their lunch on their laps.

People ate outside during the summer and now people have to eat in their cars as there just isn't enough room.

Breaks are the only time people take off their masks and it's just not possible to have 2m between people at all times when people need to use the fridge, microwave sinks etc.

Irish hospitals operate at ridiculously occupancy rates and have done so well before Covid. Limerick has had particular difficulties and has been topping the trolley count for the last few winters. It has run into particular problems after Nenagh Hospital and Ennis Hospital were downgraded. Of course this was done without making proper increases in capacity in Limerick first. Chronic overcrowding there is beyond even the usual ridiculous levels of overcrowding in other Irish hospitals.

Limerick was the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland in 2019 so I would think that makes it at more high risk for a hospital outbreak.

Switzerland (128 deaths today).

https://twitter.com/itosettiMD_MBA/status/1328735769339498497

It is remarkable some people still don't seem to understand the nature of the problems we face.

Genuine question

I've got an appointment in the surgical dept. this Friday in James.
Is it safe enough to go?

fleet_admiral wrote: »

Genuine question

I've got an appointment in the surgical dept. this Friday in James.
Is it safe enough to go?

Relatively safe, I would think yes. Nursing staff and healthcare assistants in outpatients are not usually the same staff who are looking after acutely unwell patients or Covid patients. However, the doctor could potentially be on wards and in ED too. It depends on what specialist you are attending, how likely they are to be directly involved in the care of Covid patients. Less likely as it is a surgical appointment that the doctor will be directly involved in care of patients with Covid. May have encountered some cases but not many and not as often.

People attending outpatients are generally asked not to attend if they have new symptoms, or fever, or are close contacts with a confirmed case. Should be a temperature check at door and masks on you and all staff.

Avoid waiting room or limit time in waiting room as much as possible. Use hand hygiene on way in and out and multiple times in between especially after touching door handles, lift buttons. You can sit back 2m from doctor and desk and limit the closer contact to when you need to be examined. Eat at home and/or bring your own food if you need anything.

Many appointments are being done virtually or telephone but that may not be possible if you have been given a face to face appointment. I do not know of any cases suspected or confirmed cases that have been transmitted in an outpatient department but it always a possibility. However if you cancel an appointment, you could be waiting a very very long time for another one.

Unless it is for something very trivial that can be easily delayed, I would go ahead.