Among the patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals nationwide, more than 230 people were infected with the new coronavirus and died without finding a transfer destination, according to a survey by an organization created by a private hospital.
Hospital organizations are requesting the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to establish a system that allows patients to be transferred quickly.
The Japan Psychiatric Hospital Association, which is made up of 1185 private psychiatric hospitals nationwide, conducted an urgent questionnaire to affiliated hospitals late last month and received responses from 60%.
According to the report, a total of 3602 inpatients were confirmed to be infected, of which 235 died without finding a transfer destination, although a psychiatric hospital doctor decided that a transfer was necessary and requested acceptance. That is.
Regarding the reason, in addition to the fact that medical care was tight due to the rapid spread of infection, there were cases where he was refused transfer because he was an inpatient at a psychiatric hospital.
According to the Japan Psychiatric Hospital Association, "Psychiatric hospitals specialize in the treatment of mental illness, so there is a limit to the specialized treatment of infectious diseases." We requested the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to establish a system that can be used.