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increase in emergency calls from Poitiers University Hospital, ready for stage 3 of the epidemic

In the SAMU call center of Poitiers University Hospital, conversations resonate with questions related to the coronavirus. On the phone, regulatory assistants and doctors are increasingly called upon to assess possible cases of contamination, but without being overwhelmed yet.

20% more calls than normal for the SAMU

As soon as a call deals with potential Covid-19 contamination, the process is simple: “I note the symptoms, such as cough or fever, and above all I ask if the person returns from a risk area or has frequented infected people, explains Frédéric, assistant regulator. Then it’s up to a doctor to determine the level of risk. “

Such calls have been more numerous in the past week: 20% more, ie between 60 and 70 for 400 daily calls. Calls different from normal, according to Jérémy Guenezan, doctor at SAMU: “They are more time-consuming, because we must often interview an entire family, on past experiences, such as holidays, weekends, and people frequented … It takes ten minutes instead of three. And sometimes we have to contact an infectious disease specialist to arrange screening. “

To cope, the doctor reorganized the call center service, with one more regulating doctor per day, as well as an additional regulatory assistant. Inevitably, some Poitevins call for information, but it is not within the purview of the 15 which deals only with symptoms and medical questions, would like to remind Jérémy Guenezan: “We are not annoyed, but we refer them to people who will be able to take the time to answer their questions. “ To learn about coronavirus, a toll-free number has been set up : 0 800 130 000. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What preparation for stage 3 of the epidemic?

The Poitiers CHU call service prepared for stage 3 of the epidemic, when the virus is widely distributed throughout the country. “We have already anticipated with a bis plan and a ter plan, explains Jérémy Guenezan. If the situation worsens, more staff will be called. We can add other doctors and other regulatory assistants to the SAMU “. General practitioners also come to reinforce the teams of the 15th at the weekend.

Jérémy Guenezan therefore wishes to reassure: “_Emergencies are used to dealing with this kind of exceptional situation_. In Poitiers, we will not leave the population alone, but we will manage it.

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