Gauteng MEC for Health Hope Pope has stated that measures are in place to deal with the increasing demand for surgical operations at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Tshwane.
Demand for operations at the hospital is beginning to exceed the institution's capacity and resources which sometimes necessitates the postponement of surgeries.
Operations are also deferred due to factors such as reallocation of theatres, unavailability of anesthesiology and adequate post operative Intensive Care Unit beds, death of a patient or refusal by a patient to proceed with the surgery as well as patients eating before the surgery.
The shortage of theatre qualified professional nurses and anesthesiologists also impacts on the hospital's capacity to conduct operations.
To date, the following operations were deferred at the hospital, 56 paediatric, 76 General surgery, 72 Orthopaedics, 40 Gynaecology, 51 Ophthalmology and 62 Cardiac surgeries.
“The hospital has a total of 156 patients waiting for Paediatric surgery, 283 for trauma, 156 for limb reconstruction, Tumour and Sepsis, 674 for Arthoplasty for neurosurgery, 329 for upper limb surgery, 33 spine epidurals, 430, Maxillo-facial surgery, 450 for Ophthalmology, 150 cardiothoracic as well as 67 for Ear Nose and Throats, says MEC Papo.
“The department is working hard to improve the situation and has put measures in place to deal with this backlog and ensure that patients receive necessary treatment. These include close monitoring of theatre time and hospital bed utilisation, review of the hospital’s staff establishment and operational budget as well as making use of agency nurses to relieve the critical nursing shortages for the operating theatres and ICU’s, concluded MEC Papo.
The Department’s Turnaround Strategy for 2012 - 2014 amongst others seeks to address key issues such as staff shortage, repairs and/or purchasing of medical equipment and the issue of budgetary constrains in Gauteng health institutions.
ENDS
Enquries: Simon Zwane on 082 551 9892
