*************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Due to the peak influenza season and the cooler weather expected in the next few days, a series of contingent measures have been implemented in public hospitals to cope with a surge in hospital admission and attendance in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments. The Hospital Authority (HA) appeals to the general public for co-operation and understanding on the protracted waiting time for non-urgent patients in A&E departments and the need to re-schedule non-emergency services in public hospitals.
A spokesperson for the HA today (March 8) said, "Entering the influenza peak season, there is a higher chance for the chronically ill and elderly to require hospital admission. We have observed there is a climbing rate of admission to the medical wards recently. With the surge in demand, non-emergency procedures and surgeries have to be re-scheduled in public hospitals, while there will be a longer waiting time for A&E patients who are triaged as non-urgent cases. However, emergency services such as cancer surgery, emergency cardiac surgery, and life-threatening surgeries related to limbs or organs will definitely remain normal."
According to the latest statistics, the occupancy for medical beds in most public hospitals has been saturated, with most of the medical wards having over 100 per cent occupancy. Regarding service demand in A&E departments, the average daily attendance has reached over 6 500 cases in the past week, which is 12 per cent higher than the normal daily average of 5 800 cases. On Monday (March 5) the attendance reached over 7 700 cases, with influenza patients a main attribute to the surge.
The spokesperson reminded the public on appropriate use of A&E services. "Members of the public are advised to first seek consultation at a general out-patient clinic or family doctor for minor ailments such as common influenza to avoid long queuing at busy A&E departments. Our priority is to ensure early and prompt treatment for critical and urgent patients under the triage mechanism."
Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:36
NNNN
