The emergency response teams at public hospitals and the OKYPY Ambulance Service are on full alert ahead of the Feast of the Assumption, the Organization’s press officer, Charalambos Charilaou, told KYPE, noting that the necessary planning, experience, and expertise to handle any emergency.
As he stated, “through the General Health System, we are able to handle any situation that may arise,” adding that during the summer months, when in some cases there is an increase in incidents, all public hospitals, as well as the Ambulance Service, are on standby.
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At the same time, there is increased activity at emergency departments due to the very high temperatures, with the National Public Health Organization (OKYPY) recording cases of heat exhaustion, minor accidents, sunburns, and a rising number of hospital admissions.
Regarding staffing at the emergency departments and the Ambulance Service, Mr. Charilaou told KYPE that these departments “are always staffed with all the necessary doctors and relevant personnel,” since, as he explained, no one can know when an unexpected or serious incident will occur.
“Whether due to traffic accidents or other situations, such as strokes or heart attacks,” he said, the department ensures that the Emergency Medical Services (TAEP) and the Ambulance Service are “always properly staffed so they can respond.”
On High Alert for Traffic Accidents
Referring specifically to traffic accidents, the OKYPY spokesperson said that this is a situation that is addressed year-round, noting, however, that during the summer, due to increased traffic on the roads, “especially on certain days, there may be more accidents.”
“We are on high alert for whatever may happen,” he said, while expressing the hope that “everyone will travel safely to their destinations without any issues.”
Regarding the incidents recorded by the Traffic Accident Reporting System (TAEP) and comparisons with previous years, Mr. Charilaou noted that data is collected daily and that “there has been no significant change from previous years.”
“The incidents are roughly the same, both in number and in nature, and the Agency is ready to handle any situation,” he said.
Increased activity at the TAEPs due to summer and high temperatures
Regarding the current situation at the emergency departments, Mr. Charilaou noted that, as expected, activity has increased due to the summer vacations of general practitioners and specialists in the private sector.
“Patient volume at the emergency departments has increased. There is also a rise in hospital admissions,” he said, adding that the very high temperatures currently prevailing are also contributing to the increased patient volume.
As he explained, many people are being brought to the emergency departments with cases of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, sunburn, as well as minor accidents occurring either in the mountains or at the beach.
However, he clarified that there are currently no patients hospitalized with heatstroke.
“We do, however, have quite a few cases involving heat exhaustion,” he said.
According to Mr. Charilaou, these cases mainly involve vulnerable population groups, such as children, the elderly, and people with cardiovascular and pulmonary problems.
Finally, he noted that cases of heat-related illness brought to the emergency departments are examined, and patients are then discharged without requiring hospitalization.
Source: CNA
