ACEM renews calls for a system-wide approach to prepare for more COVID-19 cases and urges health departments and policy makers to include emergency department (ED) directors and nurse managers in conversations and planning processes for potential COVID-19 surges.
The College encourages the public to continue to be COVID-safe, wear masks when around other people, make sensible decisions when socialising, and to ensure COVID-19 vaccinations are up-to-date.
ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner said, “Emergency physicians, nurses and other acute healthcare workers must be included in the conversations and planning for COVID-19 increases. Emergency departments sit at the intersection between community-based care and the acute hospital system. COVID-19 surges have significant impacts on ED demand and workload, which are not reflected in reported numbers of patients admitted to hospital or ICU.”
“The last two years have been extremely challenging for all healthcare workers. Like me, many emergency clinicians are anxious about Omicron. We experienced this anxiety when COVID-19 first appeared, and then again with Delta. The first waves were challenging, but we worked together, adapted our processes, and worst-case scenarios were avoided.”
“As Omicron strains our already overloaded health systems, I acknowledge the hard work of emergency department clinicians, many of whom will sacrifice much-needed leave to care for patients with COVID-19 this Christmas. I also thank colleagues working hard in primary care, and on acute hospital wards, for their collaboration during this busy time of year.”
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
