Landsberg - The pictures are terrifying: ambulances that have to wait in front of clinics because the intensive care units are full. Patients have to be taken to other, more distant clinics. "There are still no queues at the Landsberg Clinic," says Christian Haberkorn, the emergency services manager at BRK Landsberg. But still: The duration of the rescue service increases enormously. And also the tension, both with patients and with the helpers in need.
"It is sometimes difficult to get the patient down," says Haberkorn.
Usually, the Fürstenfeldbruck rescue control center, which coordinates the distribution of patients in the Landsberg, Fürstenfeldbruck, Dachau and Starnberg region, sometimes sends you to the Allgäu.
“But in the meantime we also have to go to Murnau or Garmisch.” Because especially the accommodation of children has become difficult.
And that sometimes means around an hour more travel time - and a longer mission overall.
Stress and frustration
"Sometimes we have to wait an hour until we are assigned a place by the control center," says Haberkorn. This puts additional strain on patients and their relatives. And of course also frustrate the helpers. It is true that one can fully care for a patient in the ambulance for a certain period of time. "But there are simply diagnostic procedures that we don't have." So far, there have been no such problems at the BRK Landsberg. “Fortunately,” says Haberkorn.
Should it come to the point that a clinic closes the emergency room, but a patient in the ambulance needs help immediately, the emergency services can make a forced occupancy: "We then drive to the clinic, whether they want to or not," says Haberkorn - but always in, of course Consultation with the responsible senior physician. There the patient will then receive emergency care so that he is stable and can be safely taken to another hospital with available space as soon as possible. "But that's just the last resort!"
Of course, infection was transported even before the corona pandemic.
“But at the moment we have one Covid patient per shift.” And in addition to the additional protective equipment, there is also the subsequent disinfection of the ambulance.
“It is no longer uncommon for an assignment to last two hours.
That is an enormous physical strain. "
Superhuman
In addition, the car and its staff would be out of action for other purposes during this time.
"But we can still manned all shifts in Landsberg," reassured rescue service provider Haberkorn.
That is mainly due to the emergency services: the full-time employees who are currently “doing superhuman efforts and helping out where they can.” And of course to the many volunteers who also take part in rescue missions and “support us tremendously.
That cannot be taken for granted and that deserves great respect. "
Of course, the psychological burden is also higher than usual. "It helps us above all that we are a good team that absolutely sticks together." The discussions with colleagues are extremely important.
In addition, you have peers who can be reached 24 hours a day.
If that is not enough, fortunately there is a "good connection" to the psychosomatic clinic in Windach.
But worrying about infecting oneself is also a burden. Although the Haberkorn is not very frightening, he hopes the vaccination will result in a mild course. “But I have two small children at home.” And of course their grandparents too. “What worries me most is that I will pass the disease on to those around me.” Which is why he reduces contacts and avoids events.
Haberkorn has concerns about the coming weeks.
“We are still a long way from being at the top.
A lot of things always show up with a time lag.
And right now it's getting worse. ”He hopes that the tightening measures currently decided by the federal government will help.
That massive vaccinations could be given.
That the numbers are falling again.
“Because at some point there will be a point where we no longer know where to take the patients.
At some point there will be no more places.
And at some point there won't be enough ambulances either. "