The number of patients at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) that require hospitalisation is on a sharp rise, as reported by the hospital’s spokesperson Ilze Olšteina.
“Every year the hospital seen an increased influx of patients to its Emergency Medical Centre whenever the virus season starts. In the last two weeks we have seen an influx of approximately 200 children daily. On the 5th of February there were 231 children. On the 6th of February we admitted 102 patients – both planned and acute cases. Considering the number of free beds is less than 300 at the moment, we need an accurate organisation of the influx of patients. This is not something we can do without involvement from parents,” the hospital’s statement mentions.
In the ongoing flu epidemic children under the age of four get sick the most often. They have to remain hospitalised in severe cases.
Infection numbers with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are high as well. Every day the Children’s Hospital admits many children to provide them with planned treatment. “If a child who suffers from an acute illness and is in poor health needs to stay hospitalised, it is important to make sure they and their parents do not have to wait for a long time for a spot in a hospital ward to become vacant. This is why family members of the hospital’s patients are urged to act in accordance with regulations – leave the hospital on the day of discharge before 11:00, unless they have to undergo any medical treatment activities prescribed by their doctor,” reports BKUS head physician Renāte Snipe.
BKUS data indicates that the number of children suffering from flu infection has increased the most in the last couple of weeks. In the first days of February the hospital saw more than 30 flu cases.
To limit the spread of infectious diseases during the flu epidemic and to protect patients in hospital departments, visitors are asked to take precautions. Namely, the patient and the accompanying person may only be visited by one relative at a time; if the patient is in hospital without an accompanying person, it is permitted for both parents to visit him at the same time; the duration of the visit is limited to one hour.
Also, only adults and children over the age of 14 should visit patients and their accompanying persons. Epidemiological data show that the highest number of people infected with the flu are in the following groups: under four years of age and between five and 14 years of age.
Visitors are also urged to wear protective facial gear (surgical masks or respirators).
Precautions will be regularly reviewed based on the epidemiological situation.
BKUS also recommends parents of children that suffer from acute symptoms but whose state is not critical to stay home and consult with their family doctor on the phone.
“There are children whose state upon their arrival to BKUS Emergency Medicine Centre is so poor they have to stay in the centre. However, most do not require emergency medical attention or hospitalisation. This is why residents have to wait for a long time until they are attended by a doctor. During this time the risk of infection with various illnesses is on a rise for children and their visitors,” stresses BKUS Head of Children’s Disease Clinic Alla Silova.
Also read: Flu epidemic picks up in Latvia
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