Ready to face a possible larger increase in admissions of patients with covid-19 in common wards and Intensive Care Units are the hospitals of the Organization of Public Health Services (OKYPY), said to KYPE the General Executive Director of the Organization, Christis Loizidis, who assured that there is a specific plan for the development of clinics. at any time, depending on the needs.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Mr. Loizidis said that with this plan there was an increase in beds in common rooms from 300 to 400, as well as 65 in the ICU, to note that the plan is evaluated and updated daily and according to needs. and the actions required.
He further added that the incidents are being handled by a team of more than 20 people who are part of the Agency's Covid task force.
As he explained, the members of the team, who are doctors, nursing staff or administrative staff from all the hospitals of OKYPY, are in constant contact with each other, to add that a coordinated effort is made, which lasts 24 hours, in relation to dealing with growing incidents.
In relation to the increased cases of the last few days and given that they are likely to be translated in the near future into hospital admissions, the General Executive Director of OKYPY said that "there is a pan-Cypriot coordinator who sees where the incidents come from, which are needed examination in short-term hospitalizations of our hospitals and from there based on the medical opinion -whether they need hospitalization or not- then they are admitted to the various hospitals, which have Covid wards ".
OKYPY has started cooperation with private hospitals
Asked by KYPE what actions will be taken in case the situation ceases to be manageable, Mr. Loizidis said that there is a plan for the development of 400 beds in common wards and 65 beds in Intensive Care Units, to add that a collaboration has begun. with private hospitals.
At the same time, he said that staff is being recruited, where necessary.
"Coordination is being done by the Ministry of Health, so that our hospitals can be relieved, patients can be referred to the private sector and we can save staff who will be involved in the fight against the pandemic," he said.
Care of more than 3 thousand people with Covid 19
Asked to refer to the current situation in OKYPY hospitals, he said that "since the beginning of the crisis until today, more than 3.000 people who have been diagnosed with Covid 19, noting that 291 people are currently being treated in the wards COVID 19, of which 33 are intubated, six are hospitalized in an intravenous intensive care unit and 32 in an intensive care unit.
"Our goal," he added, "and we succeed is to provide the best possible care even under adverse conditions such as the ones we experience."
Mr. Loizidis also stated that "the accumulated experience of the Organization is the most valuable tool in these difficult times", to add that this experience allows them to make the right moves at the right time.
In addition, he said that the infrastructure has been created, the staff is constantly undergoing training, while the required modern equipment has been acquired.
However, he noted that "not only the actions of OKYPY are enough, but we need the support of all competent bodies and the compliance of the people".
Asked how important the cooperation of OKYPY with the private hospitals is, given the recent outbreak of cases, the General Executive Director of the Organization said that "the successful treatment of the difficulties brought by the pandemic depends directly on the harmonious cooperation of all health institutions of the place.
As he said, "although the treatment of patients with coronavirus remains the sole responsibility of OKYPY, during the last meeting with the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals, it was decided how and the procedure for referral of patients, especially pathological cases, from the Organization's hospitals to private hospitals, in order to deactivate beds and save staff, in order to join the fight against the pandemic ".
Asked how he evaluates the level of staffing and technological equipment available at OKYPY hospitals, he said that "at the level of management and hospitals the Organization is well staffed", to note that "there are some staffing needs at the level of Management in Medical, paramedical and administrative staff and the necessary actions are taken to meet the needs ".
At the same time, he stated that "the Central Management is currently staffed, so that it can support the management even more effectively and can implement the business plan and the further modernization of the Organization".
Modern medical equipment, but dating computer systems
Regarding the medical equipment, Mr. Loizidis said that the hospitals of OKYPY have modern equipment, which is constantly updated and modernized, noting that new equipment is constantly added depending on the new services it offers.
He added, however, that the Organization's information systems (software and equipment) are dated and need immediate replacement.
The future needs for consumables are constantly evaluated
Asked if there are shortages of consumables due to the current conditions, he said that "despite the increased needs due to the pandemic, all the necessary moves have been made to adequately meet the needs for consumables (masks, aprons, etc.)." and pharmaceuticals.
In addition, he said that future needs are constantly assessed, based on the number of cases in the community and the relevant orders are placed on time.
The flow of patients to hospitals has not decreased
Asked if there has been a decrease in visits to the Emergency Departments, hospitals or surgeries, Mr. Loizidis said that "although emergency surgeries have stopped completely, the numbers speak for themselves and show that the flow of patients has not decreased ".
He also noted that during the pandemic, OKYPY treats around a thousand patients in hospital every day, of which, he added, 250 to 270 are cases Covid-19.