In the midst of a coronavirus pandemic, the situation is more and more alarming in establishments intended for the elderly. Because of the current health crisis, nursing homes are experiencing excess mortality which is very difficult to manage.
Across France, the coronavirus pandemic has already caused dozens of deaths in residential care facilities for dependent elderly people. The situation is more and more critical. The excess mortality in French nursing homes is causing more and more concern, especially among staff in establishments.
Figures for the number of deaths reported daily by the Ministry of Health only reflect the number of deaths in hospitals. This therefore does not take into account those in nursing homes or at home. However, according to Jérôme Salomon, the Director General of Health, deaths in hospitals "represent only a small part of mortality" in the country. The infectious disease doctor claims that the Ehpad are the second main place of death for Covid-19 patients.
France has 7,400 accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people and 585,000 residents. The main federations in the sector are particularly worried about the Covid-19 pandemic. Friday, March 20, a letter to the Minister of Health said that the coronavirus could cause 100,000 potential deaths, or 1 in 6 people, in Ehpad. Olivier Véran then announced that 500,000 masks per day will be made available to professionals in the medico-social sector.
The situation is already alarming. These are 16 people who recently died because of the Covid-19 at the Ehpad Rothschild in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Out of 570 residents, 81 cases of coronavirus were identified. The scenario is unfortunately similar in several establishments. A Cornimont nursing home in the Vosges has lost 20 residents despite the strict sanitary measures taken by the establishment. In Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the Yvelines, 14 people with the virus lost their lives in less than a month. An establishment near Besançon counts 15 dead, including 3 in the last 48 hours.
Reinforced barrier gestures that are no longer enough
For around 15 days, the barrier measures have been reinforced within the nursing homes. Visits are suspended until further notice and outings are prohibited unless a resident requires essential hospitalization. It is also recommended to confine each resident in his room and to avoid group activities. In some establishments, wings are now in place to isolate people with Covid-19. However, these measures are not possible everywhere.
The Ile-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) explains that "management measures aimed at reducing the spread of the virus within the EHPAD, namely the isolation of patients, the distribution of masks to all staff or the separation of flows (care, distribution of meals and lingerie) " were quickly applied "as soon as the first two cases are announced" of Paris XIIe.
Despite the implementation of rigorous containment measures, personnel must face an increasing excess mortality. Ehpad residents are not a priority for the SAMU. Frequently, the places for resuscitation are left to other people more likely to get out.
The former Director General of Health, Benoît Vallet, even believes that "deaths in hospitals will be overtaken by those in nursing homes."
Dedicated staff despite the risks
Faced with the coronavirus pandemic and the excess mortality it causes, the staff of the nursing homes are subjected to a much more sustained rhythm than in normal times. Professionals in the medico-social sector no longer count their overtime. "We are all 100% mobilized in the face of this exceptional situation. We are doing everything we can, but the situation is very difficult", entrusted the management of the Rothschild group nursing home in the 12th arrondissement of Paris to Parisian.
Often, healthcare workers are also affected by the coronavirus. Many are also worried about passing the virus on to loved ones after they return home. Some employees have even chosen to stay confined to boarders when possible. This is particularly the case of 18 employees of the Mansle nursing home in Charente. The virus has not affected the establishment. The staff therefore decided to remain confined with the residents so as not to bring in the virus.
Coronavirus: according to Jean-Michel Blanquer, 50 to 70% of the French population will be contaminated
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