COVID TIGHTROPE WALK

On 30 June 1859 Charles Blondin successfully crossed the 340 metre span of the Niagara gorge on a tightrope suspended 50 metres above the rushing water. As if this wasn’t enough, he repeated the feat several times over the next few months with some added twists: he crossed on stilts, he crossed blindfolded, he carried a stove across and made an omelette on it, and then he pushed a wheelbarrow across. (wet, 2014)

The author (wet, 2014) writes that every day “Increasing numbers of patients scamper willingly into caregiver's wheelbarrows every day, with the full expectation that we will deliver them safely (and quickly) to the other side”. Unfortunately, some accidents might happen even after all due diligence.

With the unprecedented challenges and pressures to meet the growing needs of the COVID patients, along with accommodating the day-to-day workload of emergencies, RTA, and other infections, caregivers are expected to walk 10-50 times faster on this tightrope putting our patients in wheelbarrows. Now, what is important is how we will deliver those (Patients) safely on to the other side of the tightrope?

There could be more than one way to do it. However, as all prudent healthcare colleagues would imagine a well-planned and safest option might help. The Big Question to ask is whose safest option is it?

 Is it the safest option for the government/regulator, the safest option for patients, or the safest option for clinicians? In my opinion, let the “tightrope walker” decide what he/she needs from Systems, Supplies, Staff, and Space (WHO Critical preparedness), and wherever such a strategy is working, patients might be able to cross the tightrope safely. 

Bibliography

Fayemiwo, D. (2016, feb 21). Can You Trust Mr Tightrope Walker? Retrieved from demisdairy: https://demisdiary.com/2016/02/21/can-you-trust-mr-tightrope-walker/

wet, c. d. (2014). patient safety and general practice: traversing the tightrope. British Journal of General Practice, 164-165.