Nurse shortage limits critical care

An acute shortage of nurses is plaguing Dhaka Medical College Hospital's burn and plastic surgery unit, depriving patients of round-the-clock care which the sensitive treatment demands.

The present 46 male and female nurses are struggling to cope with the stress level, with a majority assigned in the morning shift when the workload is highest. Officials said 14 nurses left on various grounds in the last six months.

This leaves only two nurses for each of the seven subunits in the afternoon and night shifts.

Opening with 50 beds in April 2004, the unit now has five times the 100 stated in the books, gradually brought in to meet growing demand.

There is now around 500 inpatients, mostly in three subunits, each catering to well over 100 people, while some 50-100 outpatients are treated daily.

Routine tasks include cleaning wounds, providing fresh dressing, nebulisers and oxygen; administering saline and vital injectable drugs; facilitating tests including of blood, and ensuring healthy diets. Nurses say taking a breather is a rare luxury, mealtimes are often missed and they are left all too exhausted way before the end of shifts. There are, however, allegations that some staff do tend to shirk responsibilities.

One caregiver pointed out the persistent pressure, often to the point of irritation, from VIP persons to give more attention to their patients. The overall result is a delay in response to emergency calls, sometimes even by a day. Doctors say this increases risks, including of infections, and prolongs treatment.

Dr Samanta Lal Sen, chief coordinator of the country's burn units, recently said they need at least 300 nurses to provide services with comfort. He said there was a sudden influx of patients over the last two weeks and that the situation would become bearable once the health ministry meets its assurance of providing 175 nurses by December 15.