Apr 23, 2020 (Japan Times) - Takao Shimanuki, who heads Nihonkai General Hospital in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, feels it’s only a matter of time before his hospital will max out its ability to accept COVID-19 patients.
“If the number of patients increases at the current pace, beds allocated (for coronavirus patients) will eventually be full,†he said.
Yamagata Prefecture has cared for a total of 60 COVID-19 patients, as of April 18, since the first case was confirmed at the end of March. Located in the northern part of the prefecture, Nihonkai General Hospital is designated to treat patients with infectious diseases.
As patient numbers have increased, the hospital expanded the number of beds set aside for COVID-19 patients to 54, including those in the intensive care unit (ICU). At present, it is caring for six COVID-19 patients.
However, the situation is getting worse by the day. Medical masks and surgical scrubs are expected to run out as soon as the end of this month. As there is only one facility that can conduct testing in the prefecture, the hospital purchased a testing device on its own — only to be told that it won’t be delivered for three months.
Through cooperation with other hospitals in neighboring cities, the hospital has decided to only accept patients with severe symptoms from April 13.
“The number of patients is small compared to large cities but the possibility of a collapse in the medical system is not someone else’s problem,†Shimanuki said. “We are the main health care provider and if we max out (on our capacity to accept patients) it will have a profound effect.â€
Like Yamagata, prefectures in rural areas are worried that their hospitals will reach their capacities sooner rather than later as they have fewer doctors and nurses available compared to metropolitan areas.
