The increasing number of COVID-19 infections in Winnipeg increases emergency room waiting time, according to the chief executive of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).
It therefore contradicts the provincial government’s declarations confirming that patients go to the emergency room for other reasons.
In an email sent to employees ofWRHA Friday, Chief Executive Mike Nader said hospitals are seeing an increase larger than usual COVID-19-related admissions, and patients more ill than at other times in the pandemic.
At a virtual press conference on Monday, Nader said admissions for all patients had risen 16% to 21% in the past. last time.
It increases waiting times in emergency rooms and minor urgent care centers to a degree. worriedespecially for fewer sick patients, according to Nader.
Patients stay longer in the hospital while they await COVID-19 tests, he added.
The rate of sick leave among employees in the health care system is reaching new highs, due to employees having symptoms or positive testing for COVID-19, Mike Nader continued.
COVID continues to spread in the community. This leads to a more than normal increase in COVID-19 positive patients in intensive care and creates additional pressure.said Mr. Nader in an email sent to staff on Friday night.
We now see patients who initially avoided seeking care during a pandemic and became more ill when they were present. As a result, they require additional and long -term medical care..
This email contradicts recent statements by Manitoba’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Brent Roussin and Premier Heather Stefanson that the hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 are accessoriesand these people are primarily hospitalized for other reasons.
Mr. Nader told reporters on Monday that the increase in the number of COVID-19 patients is affecting hospitals, because of the isolation measures required for infected patients, the personal protective equipment that should be carried by staff and the possibility of transferring patients to other units. .
The challenge we face with COVID patients in the hospital is its severe disruption to our workflow.he pointed out.
Solutions within hospitals
Health Minister Audrey Gordon said Monday she was worried about the long wait in emergency rooms in Winnipeg, but she said she had no plans to change health mandates to reduce the spread of the virus. COVID-19.
I was very worried about the wait timessaid Ms. Gordon, and added that waiting times of 8 to 10 hours were unacceptable.
The health minister, however, opposed the idea that the increase in COVID-19 infections was a factor in the long wait. Ms. said. Gordon that many factors contribute to this.
Audrey Gordon added that she met with Brent Roussin on Monday, but has not received any requests for new health orders to be placed in place. He suggested that hospitals are responsible for reducing waiting times.
Mike Nader indicated in his email that he had visited several hospitals to better understand the situation.
Mr Nader said ambulances had been instructed to take fewer sick patients to minor urgent care centers, rather than the emergency room.
With information from Bartley Kives
Source: Radio-Canada
