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07. May 2020
// Articles & Reports

Berlin builds a modern Covid-19 treatment centre in record time

Up to 1,000 beds from Stiegelmeyer can accommodate Covid-19 patients

The first weekend in April 2020: A long convoy starts moving at Stiegelmeyer in Herford. Six trucks drive onto Autobahn 2 and set course for Berlin. On board: hundreds of beds for the new Covid treatment centre on the capital's fairgrounds.

In the fight against the coronavirus, auxiliary hospitals are being built all over the world in the shortest possible time. They are built in convention halls, event arenas or in New York's Central Park. Equipping all these hospitals with high-quality beds is a major challenge for the entire industry. Stiegelmeyer and Burmeier are working with full commitment to assist in this situation and to contribute to the best possible health care for patients. The contract for the much-acclaimed Berlin Covid-19 treatment centre is our biggest project to date.

Up to 1,000 beds for emergencies 

Berlin is well prepared in every respect: Even before the launch of the treatment centre, the renowned Charité hospital in Berlin had already ordered 150 Puro beds from us to increase the number of available treatment places. They are part of a new framework contract for hospital beds that Charité closed with Stiegelmeyer in January 2020. With the project on the fairgrounds, Berlin now has a large number of additional beds available in case of emergency. The newly created treatment centre is intended to serve as a back-up for the care of corona patients in the event that Berlin hospitals become overloaded.

Our family-run company is able to deliver this large quantity at short notice, because at the beginning of the Corona crisis we had proactively manufactured beds in advance. Our Evario model accounts for the majority of this, with over 800 beds. With its split Protega safety sides, modern control panels and excellent hygiene properties, it is also suitable for use in intensive care units. The versatile, robust Vivendo pro bed and the space-saving and comfortable Quado bedside cabinet complete the range of equipment.

Sustainability through high-quality beds

The Berlin Senator for Health, Dilek Kalayci, attaches particular importance to the fact that there is no "field hospital" on the fairgrounds. In this respect, it was particularly important not to supply simple care beds, as opposed to other approaches, but high-quality hospital beds. Our beds not only guarantee superior patient care, but also ensure the desired sustainability. The durable beds, bedside cabinets and additional equipment supplied by Stiegelmeyer can be further used like large parts of the other medical equipment after the pandemic has been overcome.

Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller summed it up at the press event on 24 April: "In just four weeks, halls in which critically ill corona patients can be treated professionally were rebuilt with great dedication and under high pressure ... Nevertheless, it is to be hoped that we won't need these new premises in the first place", he twittered.

The treatment centre is organised by the municipal Berlin hospital operator Vivantes. In the trade fair hall, "the primary aim is to care for less seriously ill patients, but also to create places for patients to be ventilated," the hospital group announced. According to media reports, around 100 ventilators are currently available. In a first step, Hall 26 with about 500 beds will be prepared for the initial operation. In the following expansion stage, further beds will be set up in a second trade fair hall.

Vacancies for nurses and doctors

The modern infrastructure of the Berlin fairgrounds helped to set up the centre quickly. Supply lines could be run along the ceiling with the help of trusses of the events technology. According to Berlin media reports, these stage constructions originate from the live shows of German comedian Mario Barth. Exhibition walls shield the patients, Wi-Fi is available everywhere. Everything is ready for an emergency – only staff are still being sought. Vivantes offers jobs for nurses, geriatric nurses, nursing assistants, specialists, medical students and other professional groups on the treatment centre's website.  Those who want to help in this most challenging crisis of the century will find many jobs with responsibility.

Assuming responsibility in the crisis – this remains the most important principle for the Stiegelmeyer-Group in these months. With our market share in Germany, which has been particularly high for decades, we have received many orders in recent weeks to increase the number of intensive care beds in German hospitals. In addition, there is also a great need for inpatient and home care beds, as many elderly people have been discharged from hospitals since March following the ban on elective procedures imposed by Health Minister Jens Spahn. They now need care in nursing homes or in home care.

We also equip auxiliary hospitals internationally, from England to South Africa, and do everything possible to meet the requirements of our partners while protecting the health of our employees. Together with our customers we stand strong against Corona.
 

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