Strengthening protection of medical staff in emergency areas

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health - Photo: VGP/HM

This is the affirmation of Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health , when discussing with reporters about the content of violence against medical staff and solutions to protect them while on duty.

Sir, recently, there have been a number of incidents at medical facilities involving assaults on medical staff while caring for and treating patients. Such incidents have been occurring for a long time, causing great difficulties and pressure on medical staff. In your opinion, why do these incidents continue to occur?

Dr. Ha Anh Duc: In recent days, we have received information about a number of incidents related to the healthcare system and the medical examination and treatment system, including assaults on medical staff, typically the incidents in Phu Tho and most recently in Nam Dinh - a patient's family member assaulted a medical staff member while treating a patient in the emergency resuscitation department.

Immediately after receiving the information, we issued a document directing the correction of the entire industry, requiring the Departments of Health to work immediately with the police to ensure security and protect medical staff while performing their rescue duties.

Recently, the Phu Tho Provincial Department of Health has coordinated with the investigation agency and this morning (May 7), we have received a preliminary report from the police. Specifically, the Provincial Police Investigation Agency has proposed to issue a decision to impose administrative sanctions in accordance with regulations for the act of assaulting a person on duty.

This situation has occurred many years ago, including objective and subjective causes. Currently, each year in our country there are about 200 million medical examinations and treatments, an average of several hundred thousand medical examinations and treatments per day. There are even hospitals that are very crowded, some days, the number of examinations reaches nearly ten thousand, while the infrastructure and medical human resources sometimes and in some places cannot meet the increasing needs of patients. And in some situations, a part of the medical staff does not behave well, making patients and their families not as satisfied as they would like.

However, assaulting healthcare workers, especially when they are on a life-saving mission, is completely unacceptable. We must ensure the safety of healthcare workers so they can do their job.

Safety must be ensured for medical staff to complete their rescue work - Photo: VGP/HM

Issue policies to protect health workers

So, what measures has the health sector taken to rectify this situation, sir?

Dr. Ha Anh Duc: We have many regulations related to professional ethics and conduct in the medical environment, from laws, decrees, circulars to internal regulations. The goal is to build a model that puts the patient at the center. Patients are respected, examined and treated.

However, to achieve that, with the current pressures, we also hope that people understand and share so that we can ensure effective medical examination and treatment activities.

In particular, since 2014, the Ministry of Health has signed a coordination regulation with the Ministry of Public Security. This includes content related to ensuring security and order at medical facilities.

We also recommend that hospital directors strengthen security corridors in emergency and intensive care areas, where stressful situations often occur.

At the same time, the Ministry will continue to report and advise the Government, or within the Minister's authority, to promptly issue specific policies to protect medical staff.

What are those specific policies, sir?

Dr. Ha Anh Duc: We will minimize unnecessary pressure on both medical staff and patients. To do this, we will need a synchronous solution system.

First of all, the reception process at medical facilities needs to be more professional to reduce initial stress.

Second, medical staff need to be trained in handling situations. For example, in the Emergency Department, there should be a department to handle special cases to avoid conflicts.

Currently, each patient is often accompanied by 3-4 family members when admitted to the hospital. This needs to be regulated because it affects the patient examination process and increases pressure on medical staff.

Third, we will request the support of law enforcement agencies in a timely and effective manner.

In the coming time, we will also study other solutions. All policies and solutions must be patient-centered.

Regarding financial mechanisms, we recommend that units continue to review and adjust to create transparency and reduce barriers for patients.

Thank you!

Thuy Ha

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/tang-cuong-bao-ve-nhan-vien-y-te-tai-khu-vuc-cap-cuu-102250507171402359.htm