Standing room only
ER crowded at IH’s biggest hospital, but staff say needs are being met
In the midst of flu season, Kelowna General Hospital is overflowing with patients.
As of Friday, KGH was at 112 per cent capacity.
This is not unusual for this time of year, Andrew Hughes, health service administrator, said in an emailed statement.
“KGH is seeing approximately 10 per cent more patients coming to the emergency department daily, and Interior Health typically sees increased patient volumes throughout our hospitals during the winter period,” he said.
Hospitals, including KGH, have increased staffing to accommodate the influx of patients, said Hughes.
The busiest day of the season so far at KGH was on Dec. 26 with 302 patients visiting the emergency department.
On a typical day, KGH sees 234 people in the emergency department. Boxing Day was the busiest day of the season for KGH in the 2016-17 flu season as well, with a record 320 visits in one day.
“We recognize that this can result in some longer wait times for people,” said Hughes. “We ask for the public’s patience as our staff and physicians work hard to provide quality care to all patients.”
He added everyone who is seeking care from KGH is receiving the care they need despite the increased patient volume.
In response to increased demand on hospital services, IH has implemented several initiatives, including increasing the number of hospital, residential and convalescent beds where possible, said Hughes.
Additional home support hours were also identified to support individuals who need support to remain at home.
“We’d like to remind the public that the best way to prevent the spread of illness is to get immunized, wash your hands, cover your cough or sneeze and stay home when you are sick,” said Hughes.
This season’s flu shot contains components for three major strains: A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Victoria, but concerns have been raised that it may not be all that effective in preventing the respiratory illness.
The shot does not provide exact matches for the H3N2 or the B strains now circulating, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.
In its latest weekly flu watch report, the Public Health Agency of Canada said the majority of influenza detections continue to be A/H3N2, although the detection of influenza B has been steadily increasing, much earlier than usual.