167 patients with fractures in one day. The hospital must turn away scheduled patients

The orthopedics clinic of the University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Szczecin has suspended planned admissions due to the “rapid increase” in the number of patients with fractures of arms and legs. Accidents occur on sidewalks and streets that have been icy for over a week.

Urazówka USK No. 1 at ul. Unia Lublinska has been accepting record numbers of patients since January 26. Due to freezing rain last Monday, the streets of Szczecin turned into an ice rink. Within 24 hours, 167 patients were brought to the Emergency Department of the University Clinical Hospital No. 1. 20 were qualified for surgery. The sidewalks are still icy and the number of injured people is increasing, so this week the facility's management decided to suspend planned treatments.

Due to extremely difficult weather conditions and a sharp increase in the number of patients admitted urgently due to injuries of the lower and upper limbs, our Department of Orthopedics, Traumatology and Oncology of the Musculoskeletal System is currently under a very heavy load – explained hospital spokeswoman Magdalena Knop.

Oncology and life-threatening conditions remain unchanged

Knop confirmed to PAP on Tuesday that planned admissions of adult patients to orthopedics have remained “temporarily suspended”.

She emphasized that services for oncology patients are provided without disruptions. Accident victims and people in a state of immediate threat to health and life are also admitted.

Beds in the corridors

There are 35 beds in the orthopedics clinic of USK No. 1. Last Monday, according to the hospital, there were 47 people in the ward. Today (February 3), 42 are hospitalized. Beds have been placed in the corridors.

– The decision to temporarily suspend planned admissions has been made solely for the safety and health of our patientsto provide uninterrupted, quick and effective assistance to people requiring urgent medical intervention, Knop emphasized.

Patients who had a scheduled surgery date are informed about the new hospitalization date.

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