According to Dr Martine Goergen, the head physician at CHL, the hospital is nearing its capacity limits. Our colleagues from RTL.lu talked to staff members to assess the situation.
At the moment, 83 patients are hospitalised due to the coronavirus, out of which 11 are intubated. However, combined with the number of patients who suffer from other conditions, the hospital has a total of 22 people in need of intubation at the same time. Since the institution only counts 18 intensive-care-units, a number of rooms from the surgeon’s department have been remodelled.
Dr Goergen commented: “We are not sure for how long we can go on like this. What we know for certain is that a Covid-patient in need of intubation on average occupies an ICU bed for 17 days. Since we are already above capacity limits, this means that we will have to further adjust our interior mechanisms if new patients are admitted.”
Video report in Luxembourgish:
The number of new infections is currently too elevated to expect a decrease in hospital admissions. With 83 Covid-patients, CHL has now reached its highest tally since the beginning of the pandemic. Naturally, this situation also affects the hospital staff, which has been on high alert for the entire time. Part-time employees have meanwhile been asked to commit to a full schedule, while some pensioners have returned to aid in the rotation.
Nevertheless, when it comes to long-term recruitment, the country is still faced with difficulties. Dr Goergen noted: “We have already included interns and medical students. But in general, we have to look abroad for new staff members. Out of all applications we received, none came from the Grand Duchy.”
Dr Goergen further emphasised that hospital employees should be first in line to receive the new vaccine to avoid further shortages. The physician conveyed that most people were willing to get a shot and thus contribute to the perseverance of the hospital.
