Extreme measures help health system cope with coronavirus crisis

As the coronavirus cases mount up, so too does the pressure on Catalonia’s public health system. 

Some extreme measures have already been taken to deal with the unprecedented demand for beds, intensive care units (ICUs), medical staff, and equipment.

With the collapse of the health system a real worry, sports centers, hotels and exhibition centers are being converted for medical use, while retired and student medics are being called to join the workforce.

Sports centers

Sports centers all over Catalonia are doubling up as makeshift hospitals.

So-called 'health pavilions' in Barcelona are supporting the Catalan capital's four main hospitals to the tune of 600 extra beds, with the Barcelona fire service helping Doctors Without Borders transform sites.

"Medical attention from doctors and nurses, tests, scans, all cleaning protocols, meals, all of the logistics are exactly the same as in a conventional hospital," explained Albert Salazar, manager of Vall d'Hebron hospital.

Meanwhile, 90 beds from hotels in Barcelona were delivered to a temporary hospital in Igualada, the site of Catalonia’s most serious covid-19 outbreak, in central Catalonia.

And just north of Barcelona, Sabadell’s indoor athletics track has been converted to a 250-bed hospital, allowing neighbouring Parc Taulí hospital to focus on more serious patients, with 223 more ICUs expected there this week.

Hotels

Hotels too have been taken over by the health authorities. Most of these are being used to accommodate patients with mild symptoms of covid-19 that need little medical attention.

In addition, Barcelona mayor Ada Colau explained that "another type of hotel will be used basically for medical staff to rest, those that can’t or don’t want to return home."

In Tarragona, around 60 care home residents were moved to a hotel in the city to free up beds in their nursing home for coronavirus patients.

Barcelona's Catalonia Plaza Hotel is supporting Hospital Clínic, the only one of the four major hospitals in the Catalan capital that isn't being extended through the use of a sports center.  As of April 1 the four star hotel was already home to 100 patients, with space for up to 300 in total. 

Fira de Barcelona exhibition center

The Fira de Barcelona exhibition center will also house a temporary hospital, in addition to accommodation for homeless and vulnerable people.

The hospital will open with space for 300 patients, but with the potential to expand up to 2,000 beds if necessary. 

Catalan health minister Alba Vergés said that some 600 healthcare professionals will work in this venue, providing permanent care 24 hours a day.

The medicalisation of sports centers, hotels, and the Fira de Barcelona has kept Catalonia’s total supply of hospital beds and ICUs above demand for now.

"We’re not at the limit, we’re still hugely increasing the number of ICUs, which, as you can all imagine, is not easy to do." said Vergés, adding that there were now 1,700 beds dedicated to critical care across Catalonia.

Staffing

The health crisis is also putting a strain on staffing levels, even with the private sector under the control of the public health service. Retired and final-year student doctors and nurses have been called to join the ongoing effort in hospitals and health centers. 

Vergés said her department also called upon at least 400 doctors who graduated last year, but hadn’t found permanent positions, to start working immediately.

Materials

The supply of healthcare materials in adequate numbers is another challenge. Vergés said on Sunday that over three million items have been distributed to hospitals, including masks, gowns, and hygiene products.

Catalonia has also been making respirators with 3D printers since last week, after a public-private partnership resulted in a medically-validated prototype that can be manufactured on an industrial scale. 

Appreciation

With confirmed cases of covid-19 continuing to rise, the health system, beds and supplies are sure to come under sustained pressure. But perhaps the most valuable resource is the people working on the frontline.

On Monday night, the number of health professionals confirmed to have had coronavirus since the outbreak began rose above 3,000. The effort and sacrifices that they and all hospital staff are making are loudly appreciated every evening. That's when people all across Catalonia come to their windows or out on their balconies and applaud their health workers.