Stollery Children's Hospital ward to temporarily act as adult emergency patient outflow
Anticipated high patient volumes due to Omicron case surges prompted a new ward in the Stollery Children's Hospital to become an adult emergency outflow centre temporarily.
In a memorandum last week, Alberta Health Services (AHS) says the children's hospital will maintain seven operating theatres instead of eight due to the temporary ward shift. The new adult treatment space was expected to be operational as early as Wednesday.
"As we continue to navigate pressures across the zone due to the COVID-19 Omicron virus, we need to ensure that we maintain patient access and flow across the continuum of care," said the memorandum, addressed to all Stollery staff and physicians.
"The proximity of this space to the emergency department is crucial in facilitating safe patient care," the letter said.
"If pediatric surgery volumes experience a surge, new options and solutions will be explored."
In a statement to CTV News, AHS said the adjustment would not result in pediatric surgery reductions currently being performed, but "a small number" of scheduled pediatric surgeries booked for February will be rescheduled.
"This change is part of the site's pandemic plan," said Blain Fairbairn, AHS spokesperson. "In these extraordinary times, AHS has had to make significant changes to the way we deliver healthcare.
"What has remained the same (is) anyone needing urgent, emergency healthcare will receive it."
While cases reported by Alberta Health and wastewater testing data indicates a downward trend, the province expects a hospitalization peak later this month.
The Kaye Edmonton Clinic is expected to open a pandemic response unit for patients needing "non-significant" care and symptom monitoring to open beds and spaces in hospitals and ICUs. A similar unit is to open in Calgary's South Health Campus as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.