Corona in the clinic: chief doctor reports - "Nobody knows how long we have to run"

Created: 12/29/2021, 4:49 PM

From: Dominik Stallein

Because of Corona, the Wolfratshausen District Clinic has been under constant pressure for almost two years.

A difficult situation for the employees.

© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss

The corona pandemic is affecting clinics across Germany.

The chief physician at the Wolfratshauser Klinik gives an insight into everyday life and expresses a wish.

Wolfratshausen - Dr.

Josef Orthuber.

On the one hand, because the medical director of the district clinic has been working in his profession for 35 years.

On the other hand, because of his previous sporting passion, the marathon.

“During a run, it always pinches and hurts at some point.

Then you just have to keep walking, ”said Orthuber in an interview with our newspaper.

It's a bit like everyday hospital life in times of the corona pandemic, albeit with one major difference: "With a marathon you know how far away the finish line is." With Corona, it's completely different.

Corona in the clinic: chief doctor reports - "Nobody knows how long we have to run"

It is a situation that some of the staff at the clinic are suffering from. “The pandemic has been going on for a long time and is draining our strength. The situation is extremely challenging for all of us. ”A look at the staffing levels shows: At the moment the clinic is struggling with sick leave because employees are overworked. “Unfortunately, that has increased in the past few weeks,” says Orthuber. "In addition, some colleagues have left us in recent years," said the Medical Director. These positions are not so easy to fill. Medical staff is difficult to find, "a problem that exists all over Germany". Compared to the staff situation in other clinics, for example in Munich, “we are still in a relatively comfortable situation,” he says. According to him, this is becausethat before the start of the corona pandemic, some new, young colleagues were hired at the district clinic.

Clinic employees suffer from pandemic: more and more cases of illness in hospitals

Some of these employees can use the time between the years to take a short breath after the strenuous months: “Traditionally, there is less activity between Christmas and New Year,” explains Orthuber.

Why?

Because predictable treatments or operations that are not acute are rarely carried out during this time of year: “Nobody wants to be operated on at Christmas,” says the Medical Director.

As a result, some of the clinic staff can go on vacation and spend time with their families.

It's a little different in the intensive care unit or the ambulance: there are emergencies between the years.

Doctors, nurses and medical assistants are always on the alert.

Dr.

Josef Orthuber, Medical Director of the Wolfratshausen District Clinic © Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss

Firecracker ban due to Corona: chief doctor thinks this is a good idea

In recent years, especially on New Year's Eve, Orthuber and his colleagues had a strenuous night shift: "Fireworks caused injuries or burns that we had to treat." The ban on the sale of firecrackers and rockets that was imposed last year , have "provided a significant relief in the clinic." Orthuber expects this effect again this year, because the sale of pyrotechnic objects is again prohibited nationwide. Another regulation in the course of the corona pandemic could alleviate the pressure on the clinic: On New Year's Eve, only a maximum of ten people are allowed to celebrate in private. "Perhaps there will be less alcohol this year, and as a result there will be fewer accidents such as falls," hopes the medical director of the facility on Moosbauerweg.

Clinic chief doctor emphasizes: Despite Corona, there is emergency care

Despite the generally tense situation in the clinic, Orthuber emphasizes: “We have always been able to maintain emergency care.

It is a heavy burden, but we have it under control. ”At the moment, all twelve intensive care beds in the clinic are occupied - exactly half of them are corona patients.

"These are serious cases," reports the doctor.

The "clearly overwhelming proportion" of these patients is not vaccinated.

"It hurts to see that, because many of these cases of infection would probably have been milder with a vaccination." Infection cannot be completely ruled out even with full immunization, "but the diseases tend to be much less severe."

With a view to the turn of the year, the head of the anesthesia and intensive care unit expresses a wish: "I would like people to be mindful." This also applies to the corona vaccination, which in his opinion is not least one Matter of consideration is.

"It would be nice if some people, out of mindfulness towards their fellow human beings, would consider getting vaccinated after all."

Clinic staff are held in high regard during the pandemic

A motivational boost for the clinic staff is the great appreciation that they experience in times of the pandemic - whether in the form of large donations from companies or in the gratitude that patients show them.

"To see that people recognize this work is nice and important for all of us." As an athlete you know that: When your legs start to hurt, a boost of extra motivation can release new strength.

Right now that's important.

Orthuber: "Nobody knows how long we have to run."