TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei Doctors Union issued a warning that emergency rooms across the city are experiencing congestion due to the long Dragon Boat Festival weekend.
The union warned about long lines and the lack of beds in medical wards due to the uptick in COVID and medical staff quitting due to low pay and overwork. Critical staffing shortages remain, according to the union, despite a government pledge to increase spending on staff and equipment, per UDN.
As of Monday 9 a.m., according to the Ministry of Health, the number of people waiting to be hospitalized at the emergency department of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital reached 165, National Taiwan University Hospital 129, Taipei Mackay Hospital 28, Wan Fang Hospital 24, and Taipei Veterans General Hospital 22, Tri-Service General Hospital 22, and Shin Kong Hospital 22.
Chen Liang-fu (陳亮甫), secretary-general of the Taipei Doctors Union, said the closure of clinics during the holiday period led more people to seek treatment for COVID and influenza at emergency rooms. Also, hot and humid weather during the holiday can cause food to spoil faster when many families gather for parties, leading to more gastrointestinal emergencies.
Chen said overwork and low pay are the root causes of the manpower shortage in emergency rooms. According to recent reporting, dozens of emergency room physicians and nurses have recently left their jobs, with the trend showing no signs of slowing.
The government hoped that higher fees for ER visits and ICU services could reverse the loss of manpower and critical care resources starting May 1. Despite more funds, Chen said salaries are rising at a slow pace, and medical staff still feel a lack of support from the government and the public.
Chen said steps are being made to alleviate ER congestion, such as transferring patients from medical centers to regional hospital wards without going through emergency rooms. However, critically ill, intubated patients still occupy many hospital beds, leading to limited space.
The union warned that fewer hospital beds will require hospitals to inquire about bed availability at other hospitals. Doctors warn that this arrangement may compromise the rights of patients who have become seriously ill.
To alleviate hospital congestion, Chen said the public should utilize rapid screening tests if they suspect COVID symptoms, seeking appropriate treatment according to the principles of tiered medical care. He reminds the public that emergency care resources should be reserved for critically ill patients.
