CHEO heads into virus season with optimism after expansion of critical care unit: Chief nurse

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) officials are saying they are better prepared for a challenging virus season this fall after an overwhelming season last year.

In the fall of 2022, a number of surgeries and procedures at CHEO had to be cancelled due to a spike in respiratory virus cases. The hospital also had to open a second pediatric intensive care unit, redeploy staff from surgical and medical care units, and even call in the Canadian Red Cross to assist.

Tammy DeGiovanni, senior vice-president of clinical services and chief nurse executive at CHEO told The Sam Laprade Show on CityNews Ottawa 101.1FM that they are better prepared this year for the season ahead.

The hospital received an increase in investments in its emergency department as well as an expansion in its critical care unit.

“We are expecting to be challenged but we are stronger this fall than we were, frankly, ever before. We’ve also had a lot of investment in the pediatric healthcare system, and so, last fall unfortunately it showed that our pediatric was undersized for what was needed.”

The chief nurse said the hospital is also seeing cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) much earlier this year compared to five years ago.

“Typically we would see RSV and flu, if I think back five years before COVID, you know, in late Fall and peaking in January and February. Last year we saw RSV earlier and we’re seeing it again this year,” explained DeGiovanni.

Currently, CHEO sees over 200 children per day in their emergency department.

DeGiovanni also said an increased level of viruses in the community means it’s important to get your vaccines this fall and to stay home if you’re sick.