Ongoing staff shortages forces CHEO to cancel surgeries, transfer patients elsewhere
Posted Apr 14, 2022 12:19:00 AM.
The number of staff, learners and volunteers restricted from entering CHEO for COVID-related reasons is as high as it’s ever been during the pandemic, which is having an impact on patients and families in the region.
Ottawa’s children’s hospital revealed the news in a statement released on Wednesday, April 13, adding that it’s getting continuously more difficult for staff “to do as they are living with the exhaustion of working with COVID for 25 months.”
“Despite our available staff picking up shifts, it is often not possible to cover all the shifts for those who cannot enter the building due to contact with or infection from COVID in the community,” the statement said. “We have had to occasionally cancel surgeries and there are longer waits during clinic appointments. And combined with high volumes in our Emergency Department, we are also seeing longer waits in the ED.”
The hospital says it has even had to transfer patients to other pediatric hospitals out of the region because of shortages.
According to CHEO, the hospital’s single-day record for the number of staff, learners and volunteers restricted from entering for COVID-related reasons is 199, which was in early January 2022 as Omicron was taking hold just after the holiday season.
The next highest was on April 11 at 191.
“Five of the last nine days (April 4-12) were over 180,” the statement continued. “Today at 11 a.m., the number was 162, but this will likely increase as more staff, medical staff, learners and volunteers complete their daily entrance screen.”
CHEO officials are reminding anyone entering the hospital to ensure they are vaccinated, have limited their close contacts, wear masks in indoor public spaces, as well as stay home when they’re sick.
