Christine Vock (59) had a triple broken rib, a contused lung and a skull injury
Emergency throws out seriously injured woman from Aargau
Patients in particular are feeling the effects of staff shortages in hospitals. For example Christine Vock, who is sent home after a serious fall – and ends up in the hospital again days later.
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Christine Vock (59) with her patient files.
Sven ZieglerEditor News
The shortage of staff in hospitals is drastically worsening. The health system is at its limit, in some health facilities there are already beds in the corridor. Despite a massive flattening of the corona cases, hospitals are now sounding the alarm. Above all, the staff shortage is causing enormous problems for the health system.
This is felt not only by the nursing staff but also by the patients. For example Christine Vock (59) from Berikon AG. On Saturday a week ago, the single woman fell heavily in her house. “I was in unbelievable pain, could hardly breathe,” she says in an interview with a look.
Nevertheless, she decides not to go to the hospital for the time being. “I knew that the emergency rooms are full – on the weekends anyway.” Finally, on Monday, an acquaintance drove her to the Muri hospital in Aargau. “The emergency room was completely overcrowded. But at least I was in safe hands now – at least that’s what I thought,” says Vock.
She had to wait three hours before she was x-rayed, she says. “Two hours after the X-ray, a doctor came and said you couldn’t see anything. I can go home. I was completely perplexed – then the doctor said the hospital was not a hotel. »
Triple broken ribs
Vock gives in – the pain remains. “At times I was afraid that I would survive.” On Thursday, almost a week after the fatal fall, she received a visit from Spitex. “When the nurse saw me, she immediately called the ambulance. I could hardly stand on my feet.”
Vock comes back to the Muri hospital and is now also being examined with an ultrasound. Now it is clear: In the fatal fall, the 59-year-old suffered a triple broken rib and a slight skull injury, as the exit report shows. She stays in the hospital over Christmas and is released three days later. Now she is recovering at home.
Lack of staff is noticeable
When asked by Blick, the Muri hospital wrote that the exact details of the treatments were not publicly disclosed. “Based on our internal documentation, the patient was treated adequately by us,” says Claudia Penta from the hospital’s communication office.
The employees would do a great job every day. We are doing everything we can to continue to be there for patients around the clock. Nevertheless: “We also feel the shortage of skilled workers,” says Penta. “If inpatient treatment is required, we can guarantee it.” In the meantime, the hospital had contacted the patient and was able to clarify the situation.
Nevertheless, Christine Vock says: «I am convinced that none of this would have happened if I had been properly examined from the start with enough staff. Then you would have noticed right away that I was seriously injured.”