Richmond, Virginia-A group of Virginia nurses warn that “January and February can be rough” as families prepare to spend time with their loved ones for Christmas holidays. ..
In a statement on Monday, Christine Zimison, Engagement Director of the Virginia Nurses Association, said winter months could be difficult for healthcare professionals as hospitals continue to fill up due to Omicron variants. I wrote that there is.
“The influx of unvaccinated patients with Omicron following the Delta, coupled with the growing shortage of nurses, is a recipe for disaster,” said Jimison. “Pandemic-related trauma and complete malaise combined with PTSD have left a significant number of nurses simply quitting their profession or taking positions other than acute patient care.”
Dr. Carlton Stadler, a hospital administrator in Central Virginia, repeated the struggles he was seeing due to the lack of nurses and the lack of beds in the intensive care unit.
“The number of patients infected with COVID or having existing medical problems and COVID is certainly crowding the emergency room,” Stadler explained. “Currently, EMS partners are burdened by the fact that multiple hospitals are being diverted and cannot accept patients.”
On Monday, the Virginia Department of Health reported a positive rate of 9.4%, or the percentage of individuals tested positive for a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Members of the Virginia Emergency Medical College were planning to spend their Christmas holidays.
“We have a sick provider. At this point, the volume is very unpredictable. We know that one day will be high and the other will be low,” said Dr. Stadler. Said. “COVID is currently focused on nursing, and some question whether that is what they are doing on an ongoing basis.”
Jimison warned that a shortage of nurses could lead to a shortage of staffed beds and long waits for a doctor’s consultation, regardless of an emergency.
“When a hospital with a shortage of nurses is overloaded with acute COVID-19 patients, this means that other patients in need of emergency care will not be able to receive it,” she said. rice field. “Imagine having to wait for care after having a car accident, having a heart attack, or needing cancer treatment. The number of beds in a hospital is a nurse who can be staffed. Only important if you are counting. “
“It’s very important to get that vaccination.”
There were few places left open in the parking lot outside the Arthur Ashe Center on Monday. This parking lot has been used for several weeks as a vaccination site for Richmond.
After a compelling conversation, Tina Fauntleroy took her brother to the clinic and received a second COVID-19 vaccination.
“I had to encourage him to take a shot of him,” she said. “I just told him it’s very important to take a shot, so he doesn’t really get sick and die.”
Christian Massengil received a third vaccine or booster shot before traveling to Chesapeake to visit his family.
“I wanted to make sure I was protected from all variants before I went to see my grandparents,” said Masengil. “I’m here to get my boosters before going to see them to make sure they don’t cause illness. Make sure they stay healthy.”
Most visitors to the clinic said they could enter CBS 6 without a reservation and received the shot within 15 minutes.
“It’s very important to get that vaccination,” Fauntleroy said.
UVA student Massengill recommended that others be vaccinated.
“I think it’s okay, but I’m doing it for others,” he explained.
The Virginia Nurses Association has urged everyone to play their part in reducing the burden on nurses during this holiday season.
“Keep doing everything we know that could slow down COVID-19,” Jimison wrote in a statement. “This means getting vaccinated, getting boosters when qualified, wearing masks, washing hands and making wise decisions about collecting this holiday season.”
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