January 9, 2025
Hi everyone,
As many of you are aware, our healthcare system has been under significant pressure due to overcapacity, with limited bed availability across our facilities. With the onset of cold and flu season, we expect more patients needing care, further challenging our resources.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have been supporting this critical work and improving our system. Your dedication truly makes a difference during this challenging time.
To help manage patient flow and address the ongoing challenges, we have established a Hospital Overcapacity Command Table to ensure better coordination and movement of patients across the system including our community-based services and facilities. This will help us achieve the highest efficiency possible and ensure patients are getting the care they need.
Key strategies being implemented to improve patient flow include:
- Prioritizing long-term care beds for patients currently in the hospital
- Increasing the number of available critical care beds, including intensive and progressive care beds
- Expanding bed capacity beyond traditional spaces
- Streamlining discharge policies, including assessments for homecare services in order to support discharging clients to home
- Coordinating additional transportation support for discharges
- Utilizing homecare services/programs to maintain client care at home and to support and expedite discharges home from hospital
- Establishing dedicated discharge areas in hospitals with specialized staffing to support timely discharges
- Reducing inpatient transition times
Finally, we must take our infection prevention protocols very seriously. A reminder that the Respiratory Illness (COVID-19 and Influence) Immunization and Management Policy is in effect and masking is required when delivering direct patient care. If you have not already done so, it is not too late to get vaccinated for influenza, COVID-19 and several other pathogens that cause respiratory disease, as indicated by your age and underlying health.
We know that our patients are more likely to get their necessary vaccines if their health care providers promote vaccination, so please use your trusted position to educate and encourage this important preventative practice.
By keeping ourselves healthy, we help reduce the impact of COVID-19, cold and flus on our health system and protect our valued staff and patients.
Thank you once again for your hard work and commitment to providing excellent care under these demanding circumstances. Together, we will continue to adapt and improve.
Sincerely,
Mel