Doctors fear risk of deaths as new national report highlights ED overcrowding at RAH
NEW national data showing conditions “deteriorating” at the $2.4 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency department has prompted a warning from doctors of increased risks of errors and avoidable deaths.
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NEW national data showing conditions “deteriorating” at the $2.4 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency department has prompted a warning from doctors of increased risks of errors and avoidable deaths.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) data shows “unacceptable access block” and overcrowding with patients in South Australia, Tasmania and Canberra most at risk.
Access block happens when patients have to stay in the ED because there are no ward beds available.
A snapshot survey taken at 10am on June 4 of 126 EDs found 53 patients from 20 hospitals were classified as having a dangerously long emergency department waiting time of more than 24 hours with the worst performing hospital having eight such cases.
The Advertiser has regularly reported that chronic access block at the RAH has seen ED patients enduring long waiting periods for ward beds.
At 2.30pm on Thursday, the RAH ED had 26 patients waiting for ward beds including four waiting 12-24 hours.
The survey states: “These findings confirm anecdotal reports from emergency physicians that deteriorating conditions at the Royal Adelaide Hospital … that are putting the health and safety of patients at risk. Once again, the survey highlighted the deteriorating conditions for care in emergency departments in South Australia … such long stays, commonly on a trolley in a corridor, are highly stressful.”
ACEM president Dr Simon Judkins, pictured, called on state governments to immediately implement solutions to avoid an increased risk of complications, errors, death and increased costs to the healthcare system.
“Victoria’s model, whereby the health minister has to be alerted when a patient stays in the emergency department longer than 24 hours, should be considered by other states.”
Health Minister Stephen Wade said the first full winter at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital — and the first winter without the Repatriation General Hospital — had presented a “unique” challenge in South Australia.
Mr Wade said the State Government was adding more than 50 beds across metropolitan hospitals, and rolling out rapid flu testing at emergency departments, to help the system cope with demand.
SA Health’s winter demand strategy has seen initiatives including four extra beds opened at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, with another 25 opening this month, plus 10 beds for patients who no longer require acute care but are waiting for a place in the aged care system.