University Hospital Galway has been under significant pressure this week with high attendances in the ED, the hospital treating multiple patients with flu, and managing a Norovirus outbreak.
These pressures are impacting on bed availability — however staff are doing everything they can to optimise the flow of patients through the hospital. Every available bed is in use and they are focusing on safe and appropriate discharge of patients to minimise any delays for patients who need to be admitted to a bed.
Over the weekend, 379 people attended the ED, with 271 attending on Monday. Additional surge areas are also in use, impacting on elective procedures.
The hospital staff are managing outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug (Norovirus ) with one ward currently closed and other areas under investigation, at the hospital.
In addition, the hospital is treating 29 patients with flu and 13 patients with RSV.
There is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital, and they regret that patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital.
"We would like to remind the public that we encourage them to attend the Emergency Department only in the case of real emergencies. If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP Out of Hours service, in the first instance," the hospital said in a statement.
"We would also like to remind patients that the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.
To help protect vulnerable patients and staff, they are appealing to the public to comply with the current visiting restrictions that are in place at the hospital.
UHG will be facilitating one visitor per inpatient each day. Where a ward is managing an outbreak, visiting will be limited to compassionate grounds only.
Visitors are requested to cooperate with hospital staff who are ensuring the restrictions are adhered to and visitors are also advised that they must use the alcohol hand gels supplied as they enter and leave the hospital. Infection control procedures are in place on the wards and will remain until further notice.
"We would ask that anyone with symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting or symptoms like a sore throat, cough, temperature or shortness of breath, not to visit the hospital to help keep vulnerable patients safe."
These measures are vital to avoid spreading the virus to patients, visitors and staff and the hospital would like to thank the public for their co-operation at this time.
If you are visiting the hospital, minimise your risk of catching an infection by ensuring the following:
If you have any symptoms (diarrhoea/vomiting ), or flu like symptoms, including a high temperature, aches and pains, headache, sore throat or cough. . You must postpone your visit until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared.
Clean your hands with soap and water after using toilet or visibly soiled hands.
Please do not use patient toilets on the wards or en-suites.
These restrictions are temporary and subject to change based on daily activity levels so please check HSE.ie for information about visiting in your local hospital.
Anyone with breathing difficulties or chest pain should attend the emergency department for treatment or call 112/999 in an emergency, and patients with non-life-threatening conditions should seek healthcare in the community. As always, we treat our sickest patients first, which means that patients who attend the ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times.
The HSE is urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and COVID as soon as possible, both the public and health care staff. The vaccines can stop infection, severe illness and prevent transmission to vulnerable people. Visit hse.ie, call HSELive on 1800 700 700 or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist to get a vaccine.
