KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — Ampang Hospital has taken steps to increase its intensive care bed capacity and optimise oxygen pressure levels to cope with the spike in critically ill Covid-19 patients.
Selangor State Health Department director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman, in a statement yesterday, said Ampang Hospital has changed its oxygen regulator in the storage tank to a larger size to increase oxygen flow to the hospital’s wards. Installation works were completed on the evening of July 23.
“The monitoring of gas pressure data in each ward is also observed from time to time. This data allows remedial action to be implemented immediately in wards found to have low oxygen pressure,” Dr Sha’ari said in response to CodeBlue’s article on July 23.
CodeBlue reported at least 29 Covid-19 deaths at Ampang Hospital on July 20, a record high daily death toll, which sources attributed to Covid-19 patients’ rapid deterioration, oxygen pressure imbalances due to the hospital’s high-volume usage, and increased admission of coronavirus patients.
A board depicting oxygen pressures at the hospital on July 19 showed at least five wards having below-normal oxygen pressures of between the 3.8 and 3.9 bar. Another four wards had minimal oxygen pressure of between 4.0 and 4.2 bar. Normal oxygen pressure is above 4.2 bar.
Dr Sha’ari said Ampang Hospital has taken action to maximise its capacity to receive Categories Four and Five coronavirus patients in need of high-flow oxygen therapy treatment.
Upon being designated a full Covid-19 hospital on June 23, Ampang Hospital’s facilities were optimised and its bed capacity has reached 120 per cent, including the emergency department.
Dr Sha’ari said existing wards were also upgraded with improvements made in terms of facilities and equipment to ensure that the best treatment can be given to patients.
According to pictures uploaded by the Selangor state health department, Ampang Hospital increased the number of beds in its emergency department, set up extra tents in the emergency department area, and converted its daily treatment unit into a Covid-19 ward.
“The situation at Ampang Hospital is still under control and the Selangor health department will continue to make every effort to ensure that patients receive adequate treatment,” Dr Sha’ari said.
