COVID-19 with cuts could be ‘double whammy’
By GILLIAN SLADE on March 7, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade A local emergency doctor says a possible COVID-19 pandemic comes at a time when government cuts have already created an untenable situation in health care. Dr. Paul Parks calls it a “double whammy,” with stress on acute care response due to recent budget changes. “With a pandemic on top it’s just going to be pure disaster,” said Parks. With past experience of SARS and H1N1, Parks says, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital is well prepared and has the equipment that is needed. “I’m confident we can deal with the situation that comes but it will stress our system,” said Parks. The extent of the stress on the emergency department at MHRH will in part depend on the number of COVID-19 cases that will require hospitalization and possible isolation. “That’s going to be the problem,” said Parks. With H1N1 there was a protocol to screen people before getting to the ED, said Parks. Having to have 10 or 15 additional isolation beds would also be a strain on the current capacity in the hospital. A spokesperson for Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says Albertans can rest assured that we are well-prepared for any future situation that may arise around COVID-19. “We have been working with AHS and all our health partners to develop, and continually revise plans, to protect the health of Albertans. This includes steps that hospitals and health facilities may need to take in response to the virus.” Parks says MHRH does have plans for handling a pandemic including an isolation area. Part of that plan is a protocol to have people who think they may have COVID-19 handled before they feel they have a need to seek help at an ED. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief MOH, has been talking for weeks about patients calling HealthLink 811 to discuss their symptoms and determine a plan of action. Hinshaw’s spokesperson says isolation rooms are generally used when a patient has an illness that can be spread through airborne means. “The current evidence indicates that this illness is not airborne but spread through droplet and contact means,” the spokesperson said in an email. The COVID-19 numbers from Washington state have been high with a high death rate. Media reports indicate one outbreak was in a seniors’ residence accounting for those numbers. Medicine Hat also has a high percentage of seniors and many seniors’ residences. Parks says this could mean more cases per capita than other parts of Alberta. “We will have to become creative and do our best if we get large numbers of critical ill patients,” said Parks. 19-18
