The private CHSLD under the Vigi Reine-Elizabeth agreement, located in Montreal, has been the subject of an “external investigation” ordered by Quebec’s Minister of Health since March 2022, shows an official document obtained of Radio-Canada. A series of problems have emerged since the first wave and the denunciations made by the families have worried the Legault government.
“An administrative investigation has been requested following the complaints and the management of the COVID-19 outbreaks,” confirmed the office of the Minister responsible for Seniors and Carers, Marguerite Blais.
It is difficult to have further details of the minister’s entourage, as the investigation is not yet complete.
” Let us act with caution. We want to ensure the well -being of residents in all living environments in Quebec. In this CHSLD, we want to identify what the problem might be and implement solutions, if necessary. “
According to a government source, several complaints about this CHSLD of 150 residents have come to Minister Blais ’email since the pandemic started and even in recent months.
“It is an establishment recognized as having a problem, indicated by this source who is familiar with the matter. Problems keep coming back, but nothing has been done.”
According to two other sources involved in the investigation, who could not speak due to ongoing verification, the complaints were from employees and families of the residents.
Staff shortages complicate outbreak management
Like many CHSLDs, Vigi Reine-Élizabeth has lost many workers since the pandemic began, especially attendant beneficiaries.
In November 2021, families complained to various media that the lack of staff made it difficult to administer primary care, even food. And to make matters worse, an infestation of bed bugs affected one floor.
At the same time, when an outbreak broke out, relatives complained that the elderly were locked in their rooms by wooden planks placed in the lower half of the door frame.
“The measures put in place during the outbreaks may raise questions and reactions from some families,” Vigi Santé deputy CEO Jean Hébert wrote in an email sent to Radio-Canada.
” Despite our efforts to establish a dialogue to find satisfactory solutions, it sometimes happens that dissatisfaction persists and families decide to vent their dissatisfaction to other levels. “
The organization added that it “conducted a meeting with all families to verify their level of satisfaction and to identify with them the improvements we can make to the quality and safety of our care and services”. .
“Once we have recommendations, we quickly implement them to improve the quality and safety of services offered to CHSLD residents,” Jean Hébert assured.
According to a source familiar with the matter, conditions have actually improved in recent times with the establishment.
Fined by CNESST in 2020
In May 2020, CHSLD Vigi Reine-Élizabeth received support from the Canadian Armed Forces. In their report, the military reported a shortage of medical personnel and assistants of 30%.
In the summer of 2020, the establishment received a statement of guilt from the Commission for Standards, Equity, Health and Safety and Work (CNESST) for uncorrected violations reported in port protection equipment and in travel to between hot and cold areas during the first wave.
In March 2021, the Administrative Labor Tribunal declared that Vigi Santé ltée had “not adequately identified the necessary measures to be followed to avoid the risk of delivery of COVID -19 during breaks and meals” to CHSLD Vigi Reine – Elizabeth.
Vigi Santé is a group of 15 private CHSLDs under agreement that receives funding from the Ministry of Health and must meet the same standards as public establishments.
One of them, CHSLD Vigi Mont-Royal, caught attention in the first wave, when 100% of its residents were infected with COVID-19. The wrong ventilation system has been taught to explain the rapid spread of the virus.
Source: Radio-Canada
