Calgary emergency rooms are facing significant overcapacity as the flu season peak approaches. In response to the surge and overcrowding in waiting rooms, officials are advising doctors to expedite their decisions on patient admissions, as outlined in a memo obtained by CBC News. The memo, sent to acute care doctors in Calgary, warns that the situation is expected to deteriorate further.
Dr. Catherine Patocka and Dr. James Andruchow, clinical department heads of emergency medicine for Alberta Health Services’ Calgary zone, highlighted the strain on resources due to all funded emergency department treatment spaces being occupied by admitted patients. They emphasized the impact of this overcapacity on patient care and safety, particularly with the added pressure from paramedics needing to offload patients quickly.
The memo underscores the prolonged delays in care and safety risks posed to patients awaiting assessment and treatment. Officials had previously cautioned about the challenges of overcrowded emergency wards during respiratory virus season. Hospital Services Minister Matt Jones had predicted the influenza season to peak on December 21, with hospitalizations continuing to rise for an additional week.
The memo outlines a directive for residents and attending physicians to make disposition decisions within four hours, whether to admit or discharge patients, to enhance patient safety and system flow. Special alerts will be sent to doctors regarding this time frame, and emergency department administrators may intervene if any decision exceeds the four-hour mark. The aim is to identify patients suitable for admission promptly to alleviate bottlenecks and ensure equitable risk management during this high-demand period.
Dr. Joe Vipond from Rockyview Hospital’s emergency department expressed concerns about the current situation, noting extended wait times and the potential risks to patients. While it is unusual for emergency room administrators to intervene in admission decisions, Dr. Vipond believes it reflects an effort by the administration to address the challenges effectively.
Dr. Eddy Lang, a former head of the Rockyview emergency unit, highlighted the heightened flu activity during the holiday season, leading to an influx of elderly patients with respiratory issues. The backlog of admitted patients in emergency departments due to limited available beds is affecting paramedics’ ability to respond promptly.
Responding to the memo, an AHS spokesperson downplayed its urgency, stating that the four-hour target for emergency patient flow is standard practice. The memo was intended as a reminder to ensure efficient patient management during the ongoing flu season.
Alberta Health Services had prepared 130 temporary hospital beds for the respiratory virus season, with 123 already opened across the province. Despite the challenges, there are still available beds within AHS hospitals in Calgary. The province’s respiratory virus dashboard reports that 1,635 Albertans have been hospitalized with influenza since the beginning of the flu season, with 116 requiring ICU treatment and 47 flu-related deaths in the province.
The memo serves as a proactive measure to address the strain on Calgary’s emergency wards amid the escalating demands of the flu season.
