Focus review on treatment of seriously ill patients due to transition to Corona 5 Tokyo special treatment hospital

As the position of the new coronavirus under the Infectious Diseases Act has been shifted to "Category 5", some hospitals in Tokyo have reduced their response to the new coronavirus and are treating patients with serious illnesses, which is one of their original roles. There are some places that are revising to focus on the treatment of

Showa University Hospital in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, has been giving priority to new corona patients since three years ago when the spread of new corona infections began in Japan, and accepts patients with mild to severe symptoms at the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. We have a maximum of 50 dedicated beds.

On the other hand, this hospital is designated as one of the hospitals that play a role in providing advanced medical care, such as advanced medical care and highly difficult surgery, called "special function hospital".

Currently, hospitals are reviewing their medical systems as the position of the novel coronavirus under the Infectious Diseases Act is shifted to "Category 5."

At a meeting held in the hospital on February 1, it was confirmed that the number of beds dedicated to the new corona will be gradually reduced, and medical resources will be allocated to treat patients with serious illnesses other than the new corona.

In the background, it is said that it is difficult to fully play the role of a "special function hospital" while giving priority to patients with the new corona.

Especially when the infection spread, about one-third of the beds in the 38-bed intensive care unit were allocated to severely ill patients with COVID-19. It means that there have been a series of cases of refusal.

Hironori Sagara, Director of the hospital, said, "In response to the needs of society, we have given priority to responding to patients with the new coronavirus. I have found it difficult," he said.

On the other hand, this hospital believes that in order to reduce the response to the new corona, it will be necessary to proceed with the examination and hospitalization of new corona patients at general medical institutions along with the transition to "Type 5". .

However, many hospitals have little experience in treating COVID-19 and do not have measures in place to prevent the spread of infection. I am concerned that if it is done between institutions, there may be patients who are difficult to be hospitalized.

Hospital director Sagara said, "Even if we want to fulfill the original role of advanced medical care, it will be difficult if general medical institutions do not increase the number of hospitalized patients with the new coronavirus. It is unthinkable that the system will switch all at once, so I would like you to proceed with the transition of the medical system step by step, such as the treatment method."