As the Western Cape approaches its Covid-19 infection peak, the province’s biggest hospital, Tygerberg, has ditched its paper-based patient folders for voice and electronic notes.
Tygerberg was the first designated Covid-19 hospital in the Western Cape, and is presently dealing with a high service load of infections, including patients needing critical care. It services the ICU needs of district and regional hospitals including Paarl, Khayelitsha, Helderberg and Worcester hospitals.
Hospital CEO Dr Dimitri Erasmus said using paper-based folders in a labour-intensive Covid-19 ICU posed potential risk of infection workers at the patients’ bedside. Ventilation of Covid-19 patients required specialised knowledge of ventilation physiology and critical care experience. At Tygerberg this was only held by a small number of intensive care specialists, otherwise known as intensivists.
That hospital recently acquired two"infection-resistant robot nurses" - called Quintin and Salma - who are already assisting intensivists with ward rounds in the Covid-19 ICU. The digitisation project will be an expansion of Quintin and Salma’s work and will further decrease the risk of contamination and infection, while also increasing capacity, and effectiveness of medical and nursing staff.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cape Town resident documents Covid-19 journey in funny Facebook post — 'I want to give hope'Leila Amien says being diagnosed with Covid-19 can be scary but her parents' support and bravery have helped her cope.
Read more »
Eastern Cape stepping up efforts to contain Covid-19, says premierA media statement released on Monday by the premier’s office confirmed that 15,751 people in the province had been infected with Covid-19, with 8,035 recoveries and 285 fatalities as of June 21.
Read more »
Western Cape continuously reassessing data in anticipation of Covid-19 peakPremier Alan Winde said the Western Cape government is continuously reassessing the data available to gain insight into when the province will hit its coronavirus peak.
Read more »
Western Cape chalks up 1,500 Covid-19 deaths and new hospitalisation recordThe Western Cape reached another bleak Covid-19 milestone on Tuesday as it chalked up its 1,500th death.
Read more »