Over the past two months, the intensive care unit (ICU) capacity at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH) has been reduced on "a couple of weekends."
Owing to staff shortages, a news release and statement from the hospital's president and CEO indicates the hospital's ability to provide critical care support within the ICU is an "immediate concern."
"Patients arriving at CGMH for critical care will always be cared for, but in the event of reduced capacity due to specialty nursing challenges, patients may have to be stabilized and transferred to another facility to receive specialized services," states the news release.
It's possible patient transfers from CGMH may increase over the next several weeks because of staffing.
President and CEO Mike Lacroix said the hospital is "continuously working to achieve baseline staffing through the summer," while accommodating employee vacation time.
"Our employees and physicians are doing a tremendous job working through the current challenges here at CGMH, which are similar to what most Ontario hospitals are facing," stated Lacroix in the news release.
As of this month, several hospitals have warned of potential emergency department closures, and some have closed their ERs overnight for up to two-and-a-half weeks at a time. Emergency department closures have occurred in Perth, Clinton, Listowel, Wingham, Mount Forest, and more.
Grey Bruce Health Services issued a reminder this week asking people not to go to the emergency department for minor health concerns in order to keep the demand down and space available for urgent care and emergencies.
According to the information provided by Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, the leadership team has discussed options such as reducing admissions to non-ICU inpatient beds, reducing the number of beds in the emergency department, and reducing the operating room list.
"While none of the above has occurred yet, these conversations are ongoing," states the news release. "Contingency plans are in place should any services need to change."
The hospital's laboratory is also dealing with a nationwide shortage of medical laboratory technologists.
The CGMH website job board currently has listings for 22 nursing positions, six clinical positions (non-nursing), and seven jobs in support services.
The Collingwood hospital's emergency department has remained open 24/7. A new clock featured on the hospital's website estimates emergency department wait times to be seen by a physician.
