Updated: Thu Nov. 05 2009 11:31:36
ctvottawa.ca
The spread of swine flu has forced the Ottawa Hospital to cancel almost 60 elective surgeries in the last few days as administrators struggle to find resources to deal with an influx of patients with flu-like symptoms.
Hospital officials say they are only admitting time-sensitive surgical cases this week.
Right now, the Ottawa Hospital is running beyond 100 per cent capacity. The Civic Campus was running at 104.6 per cent capacity on Wednesday and the General Campus was at 104.9 per cent.
The increased pressure is linked to a 40 per cent surge in patients coming to the emergency department with flu-like symptoms.
"We're hoping that some of the initiatives that are taking place within the community, like flu assessment clinics, will help out the emergency department," said Dr. Jeff Turnbull, Chief of Staff at the Ottawa Hospital.
Union leaders representing Ontario hospitals warned earlier this week that hospitals don't have enough capacity to deal with a large influx of patients sick with swine flu.
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jAYME
If i was to guess i would say a good number of those should not be going to the er.
Fred N.
See what the panic caused by the overblown media coverage has done??? Cancelled surguries. Really people, get a grip.
Record straight
The surgeries are cancelled due to a lack of hospital beds. These beds are occupied by SICK poeple with the flu (you need a doctor to admit you you know, poeple can't just show up and take up a bed...). ER volumes have no impact on elective surgeries but an big impact on wait times in the ER.
Panic has nothing to do with cancelled surgeries, neither is this story "overblown". What part of working at 105% capacity don't you understand?
vantheman
I disagree with Record straight. ER gets a lot more people with just ordinary run of the mill cold symptons because this issue is overblown. 250,000 die worlwwide every year with the normal flu. God help us if we get a REAL crisis like they do in other countries. People need to get a back bone here and show a bit of courage and faith or else we will be in big trouble.
Hobbes
It's always the fault of the other guy! How do we know everyone is working at 105%? My wife, a retired RN, volunteered to give shots and was told "we have all the people we need"
Who do you believe? Everyone wants to paint themselves as an innocent victim. Let's face it--part of the problem was the fact that the previous Liberal government sole sourced the production contract and the firm hasn't delivered. Delivery of health care is a Provincial responsibility under our form of government. Woe betide any federal authority to suggest a central administration. Within the province, any politician who tries to excpedite things will be accused of interfering in something that is a medical responsibility. The medical people who have the knowledge and set priorities are ignored by the public who rush the vaccination centres. Everybody has to carry some of the blame, but all are pointing the finger at others. I get nauseated when I hear the politicians ranting and posturing in the House of Commons. To paraphrase the Americans, is this government for the people by the people? God help us then, or is that politically incorrect?
reidjr
Vantheman
That is why concerns me how many are going to the er that need to.Yes some people mostly those with other medical condition get very ill but thats the same with the reg flu.
