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A wave of influenza rolls over Switzerland. The number of infections has more than doubled within a week. This is reported by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). Influenza and RS virus are particularly rampant among children. Children’s hospitals are under pressure.
Christoph Berger is one of the best-known pediatricians in Switzerland – and chief physician for infectiology at the Zurich Children’s Hospital. He speaks plain language: “At the moment the children’s hospitals are at the limit – they are doing their best. But that won’t last long.”
It almost always gets tight in winter: because of the flu – and because of the RS virus, which is dangerous for small children. The situation is much more difficult than in other years. That also has to do with the pandemic. In the last two years, people have protected themselves with strong measures such as masks, keeping their distance and so on. This also meant that we hardly had any other virus infections, says Berger.
Now we don’t wear masks anymore and the corresponding viruses are spreading.
But the children’s immune systems are less prepared, as Berger knows: “We have a lot of children, especially small ones, who have respiratory infections and we need a lot of beds for these patients.” However, the personal situation is very tense and tight.
The problem is the staff. This is also confirmed by the children’s heart specialist Malte Frenzel – he heads “AllKids” – an alliance of children’s hospitals in Basel, Zurich and St. Gallen. The staff situation is dramatic. “On the one hand, this has to do with the lack of nursing staff and, on the other hand, with sick leave.”
prioritization needed
This has direct consequences: in Zurich, for example, there are simply not enough nurses to operate all the beds. Chief physician Christoph Berger also confirms this. But the staff do everything they can.
But that also means that doctors and nurses have to prioritize. Then there are planned hospital admissions that you might not be able to do until January or spring.
What happened to adults during the pandemic is now happening to children: surgeries are being postponed. And whenever possible, the little patients would be sent home earlier than in normal times – says children’s hospital representative Malte Frenzel: “Children will be sent home as soon as possible – as soon as they can be cared for at home again – that’s right. »
More money could make the nursing profession more attractive
That is still medically responsible, say Malte Frenzel and Christoph Berger. But something has to be done with the staff, more nurses are needed. The children’s hospitals are demanding more money and higher compensation from the health insurance companies.
But what would bring more money if the staff is missing? “The hope would be absolute that this would make the profession more attractive again. For example, one would have the opportunity to look for alternative employment models and so one hopes for an influx of new nursing staff, »continues Malte Frenzel.
Politically stuck
Cantons and children’s hospitals are vehemently demanding that the Federal Council intervene and immediately increase the tariffs in pediatric medicine. But the situation has been politically deadlocked for years.
It is possible that the acute problems will bring movement to the discussion. In the short term – for these days and weeks – the children’s hospitals only have one appeal to the parents: If the children are sick, you should contact an advice hotline or your own pediatrician – so that there is space on the emergency wards for the most serious cases.