Cross border: Antakalnis hospital stops scheduled services, discharges or relocates patients en masse

“As the weekend approaches, great preparations are being made to increase the number of places or beds. We are at a stage where it can be said that our reserves are already running out, that is, the staff, are they are getting sicker and sicker, they are in self-isolation, it is needed in increasing numbers.

Today we already had an agreement with Antakalnis Hospital (Vilnius City Clinical Hospital, – aut. past.) that Antakalnio str. 57.

No services will be provided at Antakalnis Hospital. So we will have 60 additional seats this weekend. And next week, sadly, there is not enough staff at Antakalnis Hospital. These additional places or beds can be opened only after finding staff or using one or another equipment to work, if there is such a need, ”said Aušra Bilotienė Motiejūnienė, Director of Management of the Santara Clinics of the Vilnius University Hospital, which is the Hospital COVID-19 organizer in the capital region.

According to A. Bilotienė Motiejūnienė, the closed ward of the Vilnius City Clinical Hospital, Antakalnio str. 57, of which 170 beds are assembled, sixty beds to increase the number of COVID-19 patients.

“We have beds, but whoever works with the beds and the patients may run out next week.

If there is a need to expand, 60 beds will be occupied in the Antakalnis clinics, but, as I mentioned, although there are beds, there will be no one to work. It may not be too much, “warned a representative from the Santara clinics.

At the same time, A. Bilotienė Motiejūnienė said that due to the situation, the COVID-19 department at the Santara Clinic is being expanded: there will be another 10 beds for the treatment of coronavirus patients.

In the Alytus region, we ask that you consider the option and possibilities of opening 30 beds starting Monday. However, we will have apparently reached our peak at this stage, as there is a shortage of staff everywhere.

If the curves continue to stay at this level and continue to increase, there may be big problems, ”said the representative from Clinicas Santara.

Based on current trends, beds for the critically ill with COVID-19 would fill up if another 30-35 patients were admitted.

“It’s hard to say how the ball will go this weekend. Yes [sergamumas] would increase, then all these beds would be filled by the middle of next week, ”warned A. Bilotienė Motiejūnienė, adding that tonight, 20 additional beds were expanded for COVID-19 patients at Vilnius Republic University Hospital.

“Friday is the big day of prescriptions. As much as we can spend as much as possible, those who no longer need intensive treatments for hospitalized patients, we really prescribe. Because due to lack of places we do not consider extra daily patients or others.

“Friday is a good day because it is reviewed and, as far as possible, prescribed,” said a hospital representative.

The Santara clinics still provide some emergency assistance, as the Vilnius City Clinical Hospital will no longer provide even emergency care.

“Consequently, patient flows in the city and district of Vilnius will have to be redistributed. We are still Lazdynai Hospital, where emergency care will be provided, as well as M. Marcinkevičius Hospital, but, as you know, in slightly smaller volumes. It is a challenge ahead because you will not only need treatment fights patients, it will be necessary to dedicate staff to it, but we will also receive other patients, ”said A. Bilotienė Motiejūnienė.

Lazdynai Hospital will continue to attempt to provide planned treatment services. And Antakalnis Hospital will not provide any services. Thus, patients with a surgical profile who are currently being evicted from said hospital are discharged elsewhere, discharged at home, discharged.

Currently, more than 400 COVID-19 patients suffer from hospitals in the Vilnius region.