KZN’s private hospitals equipped for admissions

PRIVATE hospitals in Durban are prepared for a third Covid-19 wave.

Since Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal recorded more than 500 Covid-19 cases a day.

Greg Swale, the regional manager at Life Healthcare, said: “There is a very slow rise of Covid-19 admissions to our KZN hospitals.

“We are not yet experiencing a surge of admissions as was seen in the second wave. Our KZN hospitals remain prepared for a surge of Covid-19 admissions should this occur and these preparations are aligned to learnings and best practice from the second wave. They include working closely with our doctor Covid committees, who provide guidance in clinical decisions.”

Swale said in one or two cases, they had admitted Covid patients who were transferred from Gauteng, due to the surge there.

“We continue to practise all the necessary infection prevention and control measures, which have now become standard practice across all our facilities. To assist in keeping infection rates from rising in KZN, we appeal to all members of the public to continue to act with caution and comply with prescribed safety measures. These must be reiterated to family and friends and to keep each other accountable,” he said.

The Life Healthcare hospitals are Chatsmed, Westville, Mount Edgecombe and Entabeni.

Jacques du Plessis, the managing director of Netcare’s hospital division, said: “Netcare facilities in Gauteng are under pressure. All other facilities in other provinces remain on high alert. For now, we have not yet seen a surge in Covid-19 admissions.”

He said while the numbers were low in KZN, specialists raised concern with the group that some patients (who had other ailments) were hesitant about visiting health-care facilities due to the pandemic.

“This is disturbing because if an injury or ailment is left untreated, it is more likely to lead to avoidable, longterm health consequences. You will find it reassuring to know that hospitals are safer than most spaces, as we have been managing viruses and infections long before the emergence of Covid-19.”

Du Plessis said the group also adjusted its strategy to make the most effective use of healthcare resources.

“Netcare is well-equipped to ensure that the group maximises its ability to provide the necessary care. We have invested in additional life-saving medical equipment, including ventilators, oxygenators, and high-flow nasal devices. We have also increased our onsite oxygen capacity to meet the unprecedented demand that we have experienced during the first and second waves of the pandemic. We have invested in personal protective equipment (PPE) to appropriately protect all patients and healthcare workers,” he said.

Du Plessis said to further support patients, Netcare set up VirtualCare GP consultations, which were available with GPs at Medicross.

“Patients can consult a general practitioner over the phone or via a secure video link, either on mobile devices or computers. This is to keep patients in contact with doctors without the need for in-person consultations.

“In the case of an individual who is concerned they may have Covid-19, for example, the doctor may ask specific questions to assess your risk, advise whether you need to be tested, and give you a referral to a pathology laboratory for testing to be done,” he said.

The Netcare hospitals include St Augustine's, Kingsway, Parklands and Umhlanga.

Ebrahim Asmal, the hospital manager at Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital, said there were not many patients with Covid-19 symptoms. He said the hospital recently installed a special UV-C light system in isolation wards and main entrances.

Asmal said most hospitals had ultraviolet robots that killed micro-organisms with ultraviolet light.

“At our hospital, we have a hydrogen peroxide fogging machine, which is mobile and can disinfect patient rooms. Most microorganisms live on surfaces for long periods of time. UV-C light exposure will inactivate the organisms and prevent bacterial growth and viruses from replicating,” he said.

Amil Devchand, the chief executive officer of the Lenmed group, said they were approaching the third wave with increased confidence, garnered from the experience of the first two waves.

The hospitals include Shifa Hospital and eThekwini Hospital and Health Centre.