ASZ builds temporary emergency service for corona patients

AalstOn Friday morning, the construction of a temporary emergency service for corona patients started at the General Municipal Hospital of Aalst. A tent will be set up at the hospital that will function as an emergency service. The emergency room is moving because of renovation works.

–

For those who had to be in the ASZ this morning it is probably a bit of a shock. A company is building a tent at the hospital. However, it is not an emergency hospital, the hospital assures. “In November, the long-planned works to renew the infrastructure of the Emergency Department on the Aalst campus will start. The Emergency Service will therefore be temporarily housed in the far left K-wing on the Aalst campus. In order to be able to continue to guarantee the maximum spread of the flows of corona and non-corona patients, an extra temporary unit is currently being built in addition to this department, ”says the hospital.

–

Temporarily housed in the far left wing

The PAAZ department in Aalst, which occupies the largest part of K Wing, had already moved to Geraardsbergen – where it will be housed for a year – earlier this year to provide a corona department at this location in Aalst. “This location is ideal for this because it is completely in a remote corner of the hospital and positive and suspicious corona patients remain as separated from other patients as much as possible. Part of this wing will now also be converted into a temporary emergency department for six months. In order to be able to continue to guarantee the maximum spread of the flows of corona and non-corona patients, an extra tent is currently being built adjacent to this wing ”, says the ASZ.

–

Extra capacity Urgent

“The large, sturdy tent that is currently being built has room for two nursing stations, one test room and eighteen patients in separate boxes,” said Dr. Vergote, head of Emergency Department Aalst. “The tent will be ready next week, after which it will be furnished with the necessary material and from November 13 it will be fully operational and put into use.”

–

Registration Urgent at new location

Patients who come for Emergency will be allowed to register at the new location, to the left of the main entrance, from 13 November. Clear signage will be provided. From there, the corona suspected patients will be immediately isolated in a triage room and they can move on to the tent for a test and / or treatment. Patients who test positive can be transferred from there immediately to the corona department in the adjacent building.

–

Other emergency patients are received on the other side of this wing. In this way, the flows remain maximally spread at all times and as much urgent non-corona care as possible can continue in a safe manner for patients and employees.

–

A number of tents have also been set up at the entrance of the hospital. These serve to steer the flow of visitors in the right direction during these corona times. “On Monday, November 2, the ASZ will once again increase its bed capacity for the care of corona patients. From then on, an adjusted visiting schedule will also apply, ”says the hospital. “With some exceptions, visits for patients will only be possible on weekends. Supervisors are also only exceptionally admitted. The hospital especially wants to protect its patients and employees as well as possible against the corona virus and prevent further spread. This stricter visitors and escorts scheme applies to the three campuses: Aalst, Wetteren and Geraardsbergen. ”

–