The emergencies of the Nice Pasteur CHU close to the rupture after a record influx due to the heat wave … and tourists

If the direct health impact of heat remains contained thanks to effective prevention. Therefore, the combination of tourism, summer events and precarious social situations puts hospital teams under high pressure at the Nice University Hospital. Therefore, Interview with the D^r Pierre-Marie Tardieux. Furthermore, chief of emergency room, the most important adult service in France in number of entries.

You mention exceptional frequentation in the emergency room. However, What is the level of activity currently at the Nice University Hospital?

For the past ten days, there has been a significant increase in passages. Moreover, We went from an usual average of 270 admissions per day to 330. Similarly, especially on the days of Friday, Saturday and last Sunday. Furthermore, It is an absolute record for our establishment since its creation. Consequently, But we face it, we so far succeed in hospitalizing all the emergencies nice pasteur chu close patients for whom it is justified.

What is the share of cases directly linked to the heat wave?

Since Friday and the level 3 passage of the heat wave plan, we have spotted 50 to 60 patients directly impacted by heat. Meanwhile, These are cases of severe dehydration, heat stroke, etc. It is therefore not the majority, but it is notable.

What do you attribute this new influx to?

Several factors are accumulated. First, there is clearly a very strong tourist crowd in Nice at the moment. We see many foreign patients, often injured in scooter, cycling, on beaches …

Then there was a succession of events like a UNOC [Conférence des Nations unies sur les océans]the Ironman -. which took place in extreme weather conditions … These events have contributed to increasing the activity of emergencies.

Does this overload only affect your hospital?

No. All emergency structures in the emergencies nice pasteur chu close department, fat, antibes, canes, etc. record a significant increase in the number of entries.

Did you have to adapt your organization?

Absolutely. Every day. we take stock with our colleagues from specialties and the hospital teams to adapt the available beds, strengthen the workforce, manage hospitalizations. We are in a logic of management of the massive influx of victims.

Do SAS (service access service) and city medicine play a role in this management?

Yes, fortunately. The SAS works very well, liberal regulatory doctors effectively redirectly redirect non -urgent cases. They avoid many emergency entries. Liberal medicine also helps us.

With all these measures, why do you still reach an influx record?

This is what questions. Despite an excellent anticipation, we reach a historic record. We cannot prevent everything: risky behaviors, tourist vagaries, complex social situations … We are therefore in active vigilance, because at 330 entries/day, we are not far emergencies nice pasteur chu close from the break. If it continues or worsens, we risk severe engorgement.

What should we do more?

Continue to strengthen intersectoral coordination. maintain a strong link with city medicine, support caregivers, and continue pedagogy with the general public. And above all, think upstream. We. in the emergency room, are constantly thinking about the management of the massive influx of victims: how to absorb a doubling or a tripling of the flow? It is our organizational priority.