Increase in patients who are ‘on hold’ in hospitals

OldOld.Photo: pixabay.com

Several Norwegian hospitals report an increase in the numbers of  patients ready for discharge but who remain hospitalized pending follow-up by Norwegian municipalities.

In hospitals belonging Health og Romsdal health authorities, the number of days patients will remain on “overtime” has increased by nearly 100 percent from the first half of last year to this year, the newspaper VG reports.

Also at Sørlandet hospital, Helgeland Hospital, the Hospital of Østfold and the University Hospital of Northern Norway, there have been increases in ‘bed blocking’.

The municipalities are responsible for patients after they become ready for discharge, and municipalities must pay fines for patients who remain hospitalized pending further action. According to NRK news,  Norwegian municipalities paid over 470 million Nok in such fines from 2012 to 2014.

Magne Nicolaisen, head of the coordination department at UNN, said that this serious situation is unfavorable and undignified for patients.

– They do not get the follow -up and treatment offers they should have had. It could also endanger patients, such as an increased risk of infection. Over-stays also lead to significant consequences for the running of the hospital and put more pressure on staff, he said.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

 

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