In a context of heavy pressure on the healthcare system, the University Hospital is activating its level‑2 internal mobilization plan to continue admitting and efficiently directing patients. Thanks to anticipated measures and the commitment of its teams, the institution ensures continuity of care throughout this sensitive period.
Faced with the combination of winter epidemics and the strike in the private healthcare sector, the University Hospital activated its internal ‘Hospital Under Strain’ mobilization plan – level 2, with crisis units convened from the very beginning of the end‑of‑year holiday period. The CHU had anticipated this period by activating, as early as November, the winter plan implemented each year to absorb seasonal surges. Moreover, the peak of the influenza epidemic has just been passed, suggesting a gradual decrease in the pressure linked to this illness.
Measures implemented to ensure continuity and quality of care.
To adapt hospital organization to the current situation, several actions have been implemented:
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an increase in inpatient capacity, notably through the opening of seasonal units;
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smoother discharge processes, including:
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organizing returns home, including at weekends,
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strengthening Hospital at Home (HaH) teams to promote home-based care,
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more regular resumption of discharges to medical and rehabilitation care services;
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reinforcement of hospital professionals mobilized to absorb activity;
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emergency department filtering from 6 p.m. (a system in place since May 2023);
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strengthened coordination with healthcare facilities in the area (the hospitals of Riom, Issoire, Thiers, Ambert, and Mont-Dore) to streamline patient pathways between institutions.
In the event that no bed is available in the required specialty unit, the patient may be temporarily admitted to another unit of a different specialty, following consultation and medical assessment. In such cases, care continues to be provided by the expert team of the relevant specialty, ensuring appropriate follow-up tailored to the patient’s condition.
Reminder of good practices before going to the emergency department.
To reduce patient waiting times on stretchers, the University Hospital reminds patients of the importance of calling 15 before any visit to adult or pediatric emergency departments.
Medical triage carried out by the SAMU teams makes it possible to:
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assess the situation,
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direct patients to an out-of-hours medical center,
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offer a consultation with an available practitioner,
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or refer them to the emergency department if necessary.
Thanks to this triage system, the University Hospital has not needed to extend the filtering measures already in place in the evenings and at weekends. Finally, the University Hospital has not had to cancel scheduled surgical procedures. The hospital’s teams remain fully mobilized to ensure care for all patients. Your health remains the University Hospital’s top priority.
