World News: Turkish Emergency Rooms Stay Packed for Two to Three Weeks with Flu and Respiratory Illness, and Doctors Warn Long IV Waits Raise Infection Risk. Lessons for IV and Observation Rooms
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 9 Views |
World News: Turkish Emergency Rooms Stay Packed for Two to Three Weeks with Flu and Respiratory Illness, and Doctors Warn Long IV Waits Raise Infection Risk. Lessons for IV and Observation Rooms
From Turkey: in early 2024 Turkish emergency rooms were packed for two to three weeks with flu, COVID and colds, and doctors warned that patients waiting long for IV fluids in crowded rooms risk picking up more infections. Thai hospital and clinic IV and observation rooms should be managed well.
The True Story: Long IV Waits Raise Infection Risk
Habertürk, citing AA, reported on 12 January 2024 that Turkish emergency departments had been packed for two to three weeks with flu, COVID-19 and colds circulating together, and experts from Atatürk University called for more precautions.
Prof. Ayşe Albayrak, an infectious disease specialist, said several viruses were circulating at once, while Prof. Zeynep Gökcan Çakır, an emergency medicine specialist, warned that patients waiting long for IV fluids in crowded ERs face added infection risk, and advised people with mild symptoms to rest at home.
The Key Lesson: Patients Sit for Hours on IV Drips in One Room
Thai hospital and clinic IV and observation rooms have several patients sitting or lying close for hours. Points to watch are:
- IV chairs in tight rows
- Flu patients beside patients with diarrhoea or allergies
- IV poles and armrests used in turn
- Relatives sitting with patients in small rooms
- Rooms with AC all day
How Flu Spreads
According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza spreads easily where people gather, such as schools and nursing homes. It spreads through droplets when people cough or sneeze, and through hands that touch contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth. Most people recover within a week, but young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are at risk of severe disease. Influenza is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.
Risk Register for IV and Observation Rooms
- Flu patients mixed with others: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: separate IV zone for respiratory patients. Owner: head nurse
- Chairs close together: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: space chairs and use curtains. Owner: head nurse
- Armrests and IV poles not wiped: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe after every patient. Owner: nursing assistant
- Several relatives per patient: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: limit to one relative. Owner: receptionist
- Room not disinfected at day's end: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat after closing. Owner: housekeeping
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in IV Rooms
- Separate zones for respiratory patients
- Space chairs and use curtains
- Give masks to coughing patients
- Wipe armrests and IV poles after every patient
- Limit relatives to one
- Ventilate the room regularly
- Fog and ozone-treat after closing
How ULV Disinfection Fogging Helps
The World Health Disinfection disinfection service uses ULV fogging machines that turn the disinfectant into a fine mist. It settles across the whole area, including corners, curtains, upholstery and surfaces that hand wiping cannot reach.
- Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
- Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
- Uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page
- The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
- Report and photos after the job for customers, management or authorities
- Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies
Ozone Treatment for Closed Rooms and Stuffy Spaces
The World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service uses machines that generate ozone gas from oxygen in the air. It suits closed rooms such as meeting rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, sick bays and vans, helping reduce germs in the air and on surfaces and removing stale odours. Ozone breaks back down into oxygen after treatment, leaving no residue.
- Works alongside disinfection fogging: spray or wipe surfaces first, then use ozone for the air and corners of closed rooms
- No people or pets in the room during treatment: the team seals the room and runs a timer
- Ventilate after treatment before normal use resumes
- Machines tested by Intertek, according to WHD's service page
- Ideal after someone has been ill, such as recovered patients' rooms, shared bedrooms and shuttle vans
Before and After
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long were Turkish ERs packed? A: Two to three weeks, with flu, COVID and colds, per the 12 January 2024 report.
Q: What did Turkish doctors warn? A: Patients waiting long for IV fluids in crowded rooms face added infection risk, and mild cases should rest at home.
Q: Does the fogging disinfectant work on flu? A: The team uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page, and influenza is an enveloped virus that suitable disinfectants can inactivate. Fogging does not replace vaccination or handwashing.
Q: Can I enter the room right after ozone treatment? A: No one should be in the room during treatment. Ventilate afterwards before normal use; the team will advise the right time for the room size.
Q: Can hospitals get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Related Links and Sources
Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment
The real news from Turkey shows long waits are where infections spread. Well-run IV rooms help patients recover without catching more. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for IV rooms, observation rooms and waiting areas, and the ozone treatment service for observation rooms after closing. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: Turkey flu, crowded emergency room, IV room, observation room, hospital disinfection, observation room ozone treatment
