KBTH: Doctors flag emergency unit overcrowding, patient safety risks

The Korle-Bu Doctors’ Association (KODA) has raised concerns over the worsening conditions at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, citing overcrowding and associated risks to patient care.

In a press release dated March 23, KODA said recent administrative directives have caused a surge in patient admissions that exceed the A&E department’s physical and human resource capacity. While the hospital maintains a “No Bed” policy of admitting every patient, the Association noted that the current situation forces staff to provide care in non-ideal and improvised settings.

“While we remain committed to the ‘No Bed’ policy of not turning away any patient brought to the emergency room, the current overcrowding has forced healthcare workers to provide care in non-ideal and improvised settings. This status quo is unsustainable and poses significant risks to both patient recovery and professional integrity,” KODA stated.

The Association highlighted multiple challenges stemming from the overcrowding. Infection control is compromised, critical interventions are delayed, and the likelihood of medical errors increases. Additionally, providing emergency care on chairs, hallways, or floors exposes doctors to potential legal risks if adverse outcomes occur.

KODA also noted the physical and mental toll on healthcare staff, warning that bending or squatting to attend to patients could result in long-term spinal injuries and burnout.

Referring to a recent visit by the Minister of Health on March 21, KODA clarified that the conditions observed during the visit did not reflect daily operations. “The environment on the day of the minister’s visit was not a reflection of what actually happens daily at the emergency. It is normal practice to prepare prior to a visit by a government official. New bedsheets are provided, and everything is re-arranged to look perfect,” the Association said.

The doctors emphasised that simply adding more beds would not solve the problem without adequate staffing. They also pointed to the capacity of referring hospitals and coordination of patient transfers as critical issues, noting that additional beds would quickly fill if the referral system is not addressed.

KODA called for recognition of the actual conditions at the A&E department as an important step toward developing effective solutions for emergency care. The Association stressed that addressing both infrastructure and staffing challenges is crucial to ensuring patient safety and maintaining professional standards.