Calgary’s emergency rooms are facing a critical overcapacity situation as flu season approaches its peak. To manage the surge and alleviate overcrowding, officials are advising doctors to expedite their decisions on patient admissions, according to a memo obtained by CBC News.
The memo, addressed to Calgary acute care physicians, highlights the escalating situation that is expected to deteriorate further. Dr. Catherine Patocka and Dr. James Andruchow, clinical department heads of emergency medicine for Alberta Health Services’ Calgary zone, emphasized the strain caused by all funded emergency department treatment spaces being occupied by admitted patients, leading to severe access block.
Paramedics’ current directive to swiftly offload patients at emergency rooms to address additional calls exacerbates the strain on resources and staff. The memo underscores that the combination of high overcapacity and unpredictable influxes of critically ill patients from EMS results in prolonged care delays and significant safety risks for patients awaiting assessment and treatment.
Concerns about overcrowded hospital emergency departments during respiratory virus season had been previously raised, with Alberta’s influenza season expected to peak around December 21, as per Hospital Services Minister Matt Jones. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another ailment prompting hospital visits, is projected to continue increasing until January 11, according to provincial estimates.
To enhance patient safety and streamline operations, the memo outlines a four-hour timeframe for making disposition decisions (admission or discharge). Special alerts will be issued to physicians regarding this target, and emergency department administrators may intervene if decisions exceed the stipulated time frame.
Dr. Joe Vipond from Rockyview Hospital’s emergency department described the current situation as dire, with patients experiencing extended wait times and deteriorating health conditions. Emergency room administrators stepping in on admission decisions, although uncommon, are seen as a measure to address uncertainties in patient management.
Dr. Eddy Lang, former head of the Rockyview emergency unit, highlighted the heightened flu activity during the holiday season, leading to a surge in elderly patients with respiratory issues. He noted the backlog created by holding admitted patients in emergency departments due to insufficient available beds, affecting paramedics’ efficiency in patient transfers.
While an AHS spokesperson downplayed the urgency of the memo, stating it was a routine reminder, the province had prepared 130 temporary hospital beds for the respiratory virus season, with most already operational. Despite the challenges, there are still available beds within AHS hospitals in Calgary.
Statistics from the province’s respiratory virus dashboard indicate that since the start of the flu season, 1,635 Albertans have been hospitalized with influenza, with 116 requiring intensive care treatment, and 47 flu-related deaths reported.
This situation underscores the critical need for efficient patient management and resource allocation as healthcare facilities brace for the peak of the flu season.