Sollefteå’s emergency care can be lost – warns of the risks

In Region Västernorrland, politicians are currently reviewing how care should be organized at the three hospitals in the county. One of the proposals is about removing parts of today’s Hospital care in Sollefteå And invest more money on primary care.

It is about removing anesthesia and intensive care from the emergency room. A risk analysis done by a doctor and specialist nurses in the region lists 13 major risks that can arise if it becomes a reality.

According to the document, which Kalla Fakta has taken note of, the risks are considered to be serious at the same time as they are likely to occur. The risk analysis should investigate ways to remedy the deficiencies, but the conclusion has in several cases been that this is not possible.

– We have seen many examples of patients who have quickly deteriorated. Then we must be able to provide supportive treatment if they have a chance to survive, says Anna Mikaelsson, chief physician.

Patients are at risk of dying

Anesthesis nurse Magnus Asplund gives a concrete example of what the difference can be. A patient came in unconscious after reducing stomach contents into the lungs. Thanks to anesthesia and intensive care, the patient was able to stabilize for further transport. With the planned cuts, he believes that the patient could have die.

– It would have looked critical to the patient if you had left to Sundsvall or Örnsköldsvik. It is not at all certain that the patient had managed.

The regional board’s response

Sara Nylund (S), chair of the regional board, believes that the investigation should shed light on the risks and how they can be handled. She says the region must deliver qualitative and patient -safe care and does not want to comment on the content of the investigation before it is presented in its entirety.

– You have taken part in part of our investigation. We have a whole investigation to be presented. I look forward to reading it, says Sara Nylund (S).

Personnel threaten resign

Several of the staff that Kalla Fakta talked to do not want to work if the region goes on to close down, among other things, the anesthetic and intensive care unit at the hospital’s emergency room.

– I will not work under such conditions. I do not want to stand at an emergency room and see patients die because I cannot give the right treatment, says chief physician Anna Mikaelsson.

The investigation is presented on Thursday. On February 13, a committee will decide on the investigation’s proposal and on February 20, the region’s health board is expected to make a decision. Thereafter, the issue will be up to the regional board and the regional council for a final decision.