At the peak of new type corona infection, it is difficult to secure the number of beds as a guide.

It is difficult to secure the number of beds as a guide at the peak of the new type of corona infection.March 27 18:26

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare provides formulas for estimating the number of patients who need to be hospitalized at the peak of infection, and prepares medical systems in each prefecture in case the infection of the new coronavirus spreads further and the number of patients increases rapidly I'm asking you to When NHK asked prefectures across the country, it was only in two prefectures that they could secure the estimated number of beds, and it became clear that the current situation was difficult. Experts point out that "local governments and medical institutions need to work together to develop a plan for responding to the increase in patients based on the capabilities of the medical field."

NHK reported to the prefectural governments and other organizations about the medical system in the event that the spread of the new coronavirus spread further and the number of patients surged, through broadcasting stations nationwide.

According to the answer, the number of beds secured by the new coronavirus patients for hospitalization was more than 4800 beds nationwide, and at the moment two-thirds of them, at least about 3200 beds were vacant .

On the other hand, based on the formula given by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, adding up the total number of patients expected to be hospitalized in each prefecture at the time of the peak infection results in about 229,500. We asked prefectures whether they could secure the number of beds based on the formula. Two prefectures, Kanagawa and Okayama, answered that they could secure the number of beds based on the formula. , 27 prefectures answered, "I do not know if I can secure them," indicating that there is a problem in securing beds that can be accommodated.

Reasons for "cannot secure" or "cannot be secured" include "too many are physically impossible", "the basis for estimation is unclear", and "actual measures require fewer It is likely to be. "

In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has requested that if the number of patients increases in the future, those with mild or asymptomatic conditions will be required to have a plan for home remedies in principle. The hospital stayed in 10 prefectures, such as Osaka, Tokyo, and Kanagawa, which had their own in-hospital follow-up centers to sort patients according to their severity.

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare seeking medical system maintenance

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is requesting each prefecture to establish a medical system at peak times in preparation for the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

With regard to the number of patients at the peak, a calculation formula is shown, and it is requested that the medical system be examined using the number as a guide.

Applying this formula to the population estimate as of October, as shown by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, it is estimated that in Tokyo, about 45,000 outpatients per day who are suspicious of infection and consult a medical institution need to be hospitalized. It is estimated that there are approximately 2,500 serious patients and about 700 severely ill patients who require intensive care or mechanical ventilation.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is calling for a guideline only, and it is highly likely that this will not actually be the case.

In addition, we are calling on prefectures to establish a “coordination headquarters” created by specialists in emergency medicine and infectious diseases in order to adjust where patients are accepted.

In addition, we are calling for a medical institution that will focus on patients and concentrate infectious disease specialists. If the infection spreads further and some prefectures become unable to accept patients, the state will be responsible for regional coordination.

Tokyo Metropolitan Representative "It is difficult to secure with current operation"

In Tokyo, where the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is rapidly increasing and Governor Koike has shown a strong sense of crisis as a `` grave phase of infection explosion '', securing beds that can accept patients and grasping vacant beds are difficult. It is an issue.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is urging local governments to develop a medical system in preparation for the peak of the new coronavirus infection, and securing urgent beds for patients is an urgent issue.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has secured a total of 140 beds in hospitals for patients with infectious diseases at hospitals designated for infectious diseases so far. Has already reached 223, and has secured public medical institutions in cooperation with them.

According to the formula given by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, when infection reaches a peak, about 700 seriously ill patients need intensive care and respirators every day in Tokyo, and about 4,000 patients need to be hospitalized for treatment of pneumonia. It is said that there will be 2500 people, and Tokyo has put together a policy to gradually secure beds for up to 4000 people.

However, Michihiko Yoshida, Chief of Infectious Disease Crisis Management, Tokyo Metropolitan Government said, "Even if there are only 700 severely ill people, it is a very large number and it is very difficult to secure it with the current operation."

In addition, Tokyo requested that 283 medical institutions in Tokyo, including general hospitals, report daily the number of beds that can accept patients using an Internet input system. Is only about 70%, and it is difficult to grasp the vacant beds.

Mr. Yoshida said, "It is important to have general medical institutions cooperate and respond promptly when patients come out. Please set up briefings and the like so that many medical institutions can respond. I would like to secure a bed as soon as possible. "

University hospitals "Limited support is needed to respond"

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says that even if the spread of the new coronavirus spreads and the number of patients increases, general medical institutions will be able to respond, but from the medical institutions that accept patients, the response is limited. Some say that there is.

Showa University Hospital in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo is not a designated medical institution for infectious diseases, but it is required to secure a bed to accept from Tokyo if the number of patients increases in the future.

Hospitals have a total of 35 beds for infectious diseases called `` negative pressure chambers '' that keep indoor air from flowing out, but patients with other diseases are usually hospitalized, Currently only 4 beds are available.

In addition, since patients with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and measles may be visited by emergency, Tokyo has reported that only one bed can accept patients with the new coronavirus.

Professor Yoshito Futaki, who is treating infectious diseases at Showa University Hospital, said, `` As a regional core hospital, we are examining patients with various diseases that require advanced medical care, and we must not disrupt medical care for such patients It is not easy to leave a bed just for patients with the new coronavirus. "

He also said that in order to accept patients with the new coronavirus, it was necessary to take various measures, such as preventing nosocomial infections, "he said," Staff will have to work to some extent with patients with the new coronavirus. To do this, a number of doctors are required, so even a university hospital has the problem that if there are two or three patients, there will be a shortage of human resources. ) You need to get support. "

Experts: Cooperation to fill gaps

"It has been revealed that there is a gap between the medical system required by the government and what can be done in medical practice. Many local governments cannot respond." It's a very big problem to think about it, because the spread of the new coronavirus is fast and the response in the medical field is not keeping up. "

On the other hand, regarding the situation in the medical field, he said, "I have many problems, such as needing beds for patients with other diseases, anxiety about hospital-acquired infections, and a shortage of human resources and medical resources. If we can accept patients with the new coronavirus, it is necessary for local governments and medical institutions to work together to build an action plan based on the capabilities of the medical field and make efforts to bridge the gap. "

In order to prevent the collapse of medical care due to the influx of patients, `` We will create a central medical institution specializing in treating new type coronavirus patients and respond with a team of specialized medical professionals An effective system must be established as soon as possible. "