HKL director explains bed shortage, why procedures done on floor
Bed occupancy at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) has increased due to a spike in Covid-19 cases leading to cases where patients had to be treated on the floor, said hospital director Dr Heric Corray
Most of the current cases being brought in, he said, were Covid-19 patients at stage 4 of their infection. He said the hospital's ICU capacity was also "very high".
Bed occupancy at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) has increased due to a spike in Covid-19 cases leading to cases where patients had to be treated on the floor, said hospital director Dr Heric Corray
Most of the current cases being brought in, he said, were Covid-19 patients at stage 4 of their infection. He said the hospital's ICU capacity was also "very high".
Corray said he was constantly keeping a close eye on bed occupancy while ICU staff were being assisted by medical officers from other departments.
His statement today comes after viral images yesterday showed patients being treated on the floor with a healthcare worker saying the situation at HKL was dire.
Commenting on one such incident at the emergency ward, Corray said a patient was brought in unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse.
"At the time all beds were in use and it was found the floor had the best flat surface so CPR was performed there immediately," he said in a statement today.
However, he said the patient could not be saved. Due to the uncertain nature of the death, a post-mortem was being conducted.
Corray also commented on another patient who was seen being treated on the floor.
He said this was because the patient was having a seizure and was in danger of falling off the canvas bed.
"Due to safety factors and for immediate treatment, the patient was laid down on their side (on the floor) to avoid saliva from entering the lungs which would pose a risk to the patient," he said.
Corray said HKL had postponed elective surgeries since December 2020 to deal with more urgent cases.
Patients being treated at the hospital will also be transferred to the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital once they are no longer in critical condition, he said.
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