Hospital forced to reschedule elective surgeries
The Ottawa Hospital says it regrets having to reschedule six elective surgeries this week — something it hasn’t done since 2014.
The hospital had to reschedule the surgeries after it was faced with “a sudden high volume of emergency surgeries, as well as a mix of lengthy complex surgeries.”
The high demand, it said, “created a set of conditions that required hospital staff to find other options for six patients.
“Any decision to reschedule a surgery can only be taken in extraordinary circumstances and then only if surgery can be rescheduled with the least possible personal impact to the patient,” said the hospital in a written statement.
A hospital spokesman said the decision “wasn’t about occupancy.”
Like other hospitals across Ontario, it is in the midst of an overcrowding crisis that peaked during the winter and spring viral season, but continues to persist.
Hospitals that chronically operate at over capacity have less wiggle room when extraordinary events take place, such as unexpected or complex surgeries or a viral outbreak.
As of Friday, The Ottawa Hospital was at 107 per cent occupancy — 108 per cent at its General campus and 106 per cent at the Civic.
It has not dipped below 100 per cent capacity for months.
The hospital said it believes scheduled surgeries are to be respected at all times. It has not cancelled a surgery due to a shortage of beds since 2014.
Earlier this year, the hospital reached close to 120 per cent capacity at times, and was forced to turn offices, waiting rooms and other spaces into patient rooms.
But it did not have to reschedule any elective surgeries.
Surgeries at Queensway Carleton Hospital, which is also dealing with overcrowding, have been cancelled several times due to bed shortages.
In its most recent budget, the Ontario government included a budget boost of $345 million for the coming year after four years of hospital budget freezes.
Some local hospital officials welcomed the extra dollars, but noted that it will do little more than help hospitals remain static and will not reduce an extended overcapacity crisis.
The Ottawa Hospital has 913 beds at two campuses.
It said it will “take all measures to ensure we re-establish our long track record of surgeries occurring as scheduled.”
Any decision to reschedule a surgery can only be taken in extraordinary circumstances.