Family visits continue to be restricted Children hospitalized for severe illness New Corona

Family members continue to have access restrictions Children hospitalized for severe illness New Corona June 20 19:17

Approximately one month after the declaration of emergency was lifted. At least 12 hospitals out of 16 pediatric cancer base hospitals across the country are to respond to family visits and to limit interaction with volunteers who support hospitalization in order to protect children hospitalized from the new coronavirus. I knew it was going on. Experts familiar with pediatric nursing point out that “long-term restrictions may impair the growth of children, and it is necessary to take measures such as online use at an early stage”.

NHK conducted a questionnaire survey to 16 medical institutions nationwide, including base hospitals for pediatric cancer, in order to investigate how the spread of the new coronavirus affects the inpatient life of children fighting serious illnesses such as childhood cancer. We performed and got answers from 13 medical institutions.

As a result, it was found that 12 medical institutions continued to limit the number and time of visits with their families even in the middle of this month, three weeks after the emergency declaration was lifted.

It also means that 12 medical institutions, other than the ones that have not been conducted before, have withdrawn from volunteer activities that support children's lives and activities, such as volunteers and NPOs.

Children who fight severe illnesses such as childhood cancer are often forced to stay in the hospital for a long period of time, and medical institutions are promoting efforts to support their growth, including not only treatment but also learning and play. The fact that they could not be fully implemented has been highlighted.

In addition, eleven medical institutions say they are "uncertain" about lifting restrictions.

Professor Kyoko Kobayashi of St. Luke's International University, which specializes in pediatric nursing, said, "The restrictions are unavoidable, but there is a risk that the growth of children will be impaired if they are prolonged. Medical institutions use online and make safety management rules. It is necessary to take an early action so that we can receive support from the outside."

A girl in hospital "I just had to stay in bed"

A girl in the fourth grade of elementary school who was admitted to the Osaka City General Medical Center, one of the pediatric cancer base hospitals that responded to the questionnaire, until the middle of last month said, ``I was only in bed, all the fun things were gone. ”

Haruka Nakao (10), who lives in Osaka prefecture, has been fighting against illness, having been hospitalized and discharged since about 3 years ago.

This time, I was hospitalized on April 20, immediately after the number of infected people in Japan exceeded 10,000, and at the time when the infectious disease countermeasures were strengthened at the hospital, such as restricting visits with family members. The sick room is a quadruple room, and my mother, Mutsumi, was allowed to attend, but as a general rule, I was limited to visiting one hour for one hour with my family.

When I was admitted to this hospital before, my father and grandparents could visit each other once every two days and enjoy the conversation with the whole family, but this time I was lonely because I could not meet my family. I say that I did. In addition, the playroom where toys and other items were placed was banned from use in order to prevent nosocomial infections, and it was not possible to play with other children.

In addition, there are exchange events held by external volunteers and NPOs that Haruka was looking forward to. It was opened about three times a month, but it was canceled to prevent the virus from being introduced.

The nursery teachers at the hospital were watching over the children, but he said that he spent most of his day on the bed for one month.

Regarding the hospitalization this time, Haruka Nakao said, “I just had to be in bed and couldn't play with everyone. I think everyone is in trouble and feels the same as me. It was'None'."

Also, his mother, Mutsumi, said, “I couldn't meet or play with anyone, so it was very difficult. I couldn't take a break with just treatment, and if there was interaction with the outside I didn't think I could help it either."