Putting seniors in hospitals costing more than $ 170M a year, Liberals say

The rising number of patients stuck in hospitals while they wait for a less- expensive bed in the community is costing the province’s cashstrapped health- care system tens of million of dollars each year, Alberta Liberals say.

New data obtained by the opposition party through a freedom of information request shows that on any given day over the last few years, Alberta’s health authority fills the equivalent of three- quarters of the Foothills Medical Centre — the province’s largest acute care facility — with people who don’t need to be there but who have nowhere else to go.

If those 822 people could be housed in the nursing home beds most need instead of occupying acute care spaces that cost over four times as much to operate, Liberal Leader David Swann said they would receive more appropriate care and Alberta Health Services could save over $ 170 million annually.

While the Tory government is scrambling to build more longterm care spaces to reduce hospital overcrowding and contain health system costs, Swann said the province’s health authority also needs to invest more of its budget in home care, primary care and community supports that will keep the elderly out of the acute care system longer.

“We’re having to spend a lot on major engine overhauls now because we haven’t bothered to check or change the oil for years,” Swann said.

“It’s penny- wise and pound foolish that we invest only a paltry three per cent of our health- care dollars on prevention.”

The AHS data shows a disturbing and expensive trend over a 33- month period through December 2014, as the number of alternative level of care days doubled because an increasing number of sick patients were stuck longer in hospital while waiting for a space to come open in the community.

The numbers show that on average about 11 per cent of Alberta’s acute care capacity was occupied by patients requiring an alternative level of care, but the problem was particularly acute in Calgary where more than 12 per cent of hospital spaces were filled with so- called bed- blockers.

AHS spokesman Don Stewart said Alberta’s rate is still among the lowest in Canada.

While most of those waiting are ailing seniors, Stewart said many have mental health issues, brain injuries and disabilities that do not allow them to live independently. He said some had been stuck in hospital for over two and half years awaiting placement in the community.

“Many of these patients are younger and are not suitable for regular long- term care placement,” Stewart said. “AHS is working with the government to establish appropriate options.”

In the year ended March 31, AHS said it has added 921 continuing care beds around the province and it has plans to staff and open a similar number in the coming 12 months.

Health Minister Stephen Mandel has said AHS will open 311 restorative care spaces in Calgary and Edmonton by the end of this calendar year as the authority tries to empty hospitals of more patients who would be better and less expensively cared for in the community.

We’re having to spend a lot on major engine overhauls now because we haven’t bothered to check or change the oil for years.