A patient dies because staff cannot access the defibrillator. Another is forced to lie in his own feces for several hours. A third will be placed on a stretcher carriage instead of a regular bed.
These are all examples of consequences of a lack of beds, according to Ivo.
Continued decrease in beds
The number of available beds in inpatient care has for many years decreased in Sweden and last year was no exception, new figures produced by SVT Nyheter show.
A disposable care site must be designed and staffed so that it ensures patient safety and the working environment. Last year, there were, on average, around 500 fewer such beds per day than in the previous year. Compared to 2013, there are almost 5,000 fewer.
Photo: SVT Grafik
The decline in recent years is often explained by a shortage of nurses.
"There are too few nurses who want to work in inpatient care. We as an employer bear some responsibility for this, says Jannis Ioannidis, deputy area manager in Region Örebro County.
Increased risk of healthcare injuries
At the same time, the number of overcrowding skyrocketed last year, that is, when patients are cared for in overcrowded wards and may need to be located in, for example, corridors.
On average, overcrowding corresponded to more than 900 patients a day, which is almost double compared to 2013.
"Overcrowding increases the risk of healthcare injuries, so this is not good," says Peder Carlsson at Ivo, adding that the figures underline that the need for beds is greater than there is.
Photo: SVT Grafik
Trying to reverse the trend
To reverse the downward spiral, several regions are now trying to find new ways of working. Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, for example, has begun to offer emergency hospital care at home. A project that, among other things, has freed up desirable care places at the hospital.
See more in the clip above.