‘PLEASE, PLEASE, STAY AT HOME’: PLEADS MAHC CEO
MUSKOKA — Muskoka’s hospitals “will struggle with the patient surge that is anticipated” as COVID-19 continues to hit the community hard.
In a frank blog this week, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare CEO Natalie Bubela says “as a smaller community hospital, we have limited personnel and limited space.”
She says “health care practitioners fill many roles in our communities and we are monitoring the wellness of the hospital workforce and recognize the potential for burning out these hardworking providers in every facet of health care.”
However, Bubela says the Bracebridge and Huntsville “teams are doing everything they can to provide excellent care for patients with medical needs unrelated to COVID-19, while responding with a dynamic pandemic plan.”
She pointedly adds that if the pandemic becomes very prevalent in Muskoka, “we have to remember how being able and healthy to go to work can impact many essential service workers.
“Please, please, stay at home,” she pleads — as Canada’s chief public medical officer of health Dr. Theresa Tam today urged people take a “staycation for the nation” this Easter weekend
This today as the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that the pandemic is far from over and unlikely to peak before July or August.
The coronavirus will likely linger well into 2021, after more than 500 have already died among the 20,000 reported cases in Canada.
Tens of thousands could still died.
Trudeau said the “new normal” will be in place “until a vaccine is developed” to counter the evil killer.
“Muskoka’s population has grown”
Bubela went on to say there is no question the population in Muskoka has grown in the last few weeks.
She says “MAHC will always serve whoever comes through our doors to the best of our ability whether they live here 12 months of the year, operate a business, cottage here or are visiting our region.
“We all like to call Muskoka home, and we are all in this together. More than ever we must be kind, stop drawing lines, and support and respect each other.
“Our hospital foundations are blessed by the generosity of numerous donors, seasonal residents too, who make hospital care better for everyone.”
Meanwhile, with the concern and potential impact of community spread, she says MAHC has done a lot of work to put in place additional measures at Muskoka’s two hospitals including:
- Ensuring robust infection control isolation precautions are practiced diligently everywhere at all times. Regardless of where potential or confirmed COVID-19 patients are, various practices are in place to protect against cross-contamination of any infection.
- Following guidelines for mask use and other personal protective equipment (PPE) and implementing directives that reduce the risk of potential transmission from anyone who could be carrying the virus but do not show symptoms.
Bubela says the hospitals continue to monitor and react to a provincially-challenged supply chain of personal protective equipment. They have launched a community donations process through the leadership of our Huntsville Hospital and South Muskoka Hospital Foundations.
“We are so grateful to everyone for their overwhelming support of gifted masks, gowns and gloves, and hand sanitizer, as well as financial support through donations. Information about this streamlined process and what they need most is on their website for anyone who can help.
MAHC has also helped open two assessment centres last week in Bracebridge and Huntsville, which are by appointment only Monday to Friday.
Learn more about the process for getting an appointment at a centre if you think you have COVID-19.
Home and Community Care
In addition, Bubela says MAHC continues to work closely with Home and Community Care to move patients to appropriate environments, which also been effective to reduce the number of admitted patients in each of our sites.
She says hospital officials are “moving quickly” on “difficult decisions” to cancel elective surgeries, they have also freed up hospital beds should the wave come.
Operating rooms are now used for emergency surgeries only, as they continue to align with updated provincial direction to ramp down services even more.
MAHC pandemic plan includes virtual care
As well, MAHC has finalized its pandemic plan for a surge in critical care needs.
They are looking to change flows in the emergency department to create separate streams to serve COVID and non-COVID patient needs to protect the safety of all.
Bubela says clinicians are modelling optimal care for COVID patients through simulations across both sites.
In addition, she says they are exploring virtual care options both in hospital and in community primary care so those who are ill have alternative means to get the care they need without leaving their homes.
“I am grateful every day for their courage and their hard work during these very difficult and often stressful times,” says Bubela.
“On their behalf, I would also like to share some thanks to everyone who keeps us in their thoughts and prayers.”
She says MAHC has received, tokens of appreciation that have been dropped off, cards of thanks and well wishes on our social media posts, last week’s sirens of support from our fellow first responders, and grab-and-go prepared food for our teams from businesses that have worked with their foundations.
Countless community partners and friends have offered supplies, accommodations, other assistance and support, while donors continue to support and believe in our hospitals. “This is the true meaning of community, and together, we will get through this,” she said.
“Please rest assured your Muskoka hospitals are committed to acting in the best interests of preparedness for our greater communities. We know this will be a long haul that will persist for weeks to months, but we also know someday this will be over.”
Email Mark Clairmont at [email protected]
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