A typical Sunday evening at Ettelbruck Hospital reflects the situation seen in many hospitals across the country–its emergency waiting room is full, with patients of all ages waiting their turn. Some have arrived independently while others have been brought in by ambulance.
From sports injuries and workplace accidents to strokes, the emergency department must be prepared for all scenarios. On average, the team treats between 160 and 170 patients per day. The ongoing wave of the flu has increased demand even more, as Influenza A is still spreading, according to Matthias Neitzel, head of emergency services at the Centre Hospitalier du Nord (CHdN).
The emergency department operates with a team of over 40 nurses working in three shifts: eight nurses in both the morning and afternoon, and four at night. The hospital also relies on 11 emergency doctors, with two on duty at all times, alongside specialists in cardiology, neurology, and 12 other fields.
Currently, there are only six examination rooms which is no longer sufficient given the number of patients. To address this, the hospital plans to triple the number of “lits-portes” – beds for patients awaiting a decision on whether they will be admitted or discharged – bringing the total to 12.
Hospital staff have observed a steady rise in emergency visits, particularly on Mondays. Evenings after 6pm are now often busier than daytime hours.
Since last year, Ettelbruck Hospital also offers a dedicated emergency service for children, operating daily from 8am to 8pm, including weekends and public holidays. Known as “Pédiatrie de proximité,” the service is staffed by a doctor and a nurse working in two shifts.
The emergency department at Ettelbruck Hospital has been in operation since 2003, but it is now fully-packed. Some patients are even placed in the corridor due to a lack of space. To address this, the hospital is expanding its emergency department by an additional 300 square metres, effectively doubling its size. The new extension, designed to improve conditions for both patients and staff, is set to open in June.
CHdN also manages the hospital in Wiltz which will focus on elderly patient care, from rehabilitation to geriatrics. Additionally, just a few hundred metres from the hospital, the new “Zenter Schlasskéier” will be built to provide outpatient treatments.
