BC nurses call for action as staff cope with increased number of flu cases
Posted January 10, 2018 4:30 pm.
Last Updated January 10, 2018 5:09 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – Imagine more than 50 patients admitted to a hospital on stretchers in the hallways of an emergency department.
The acting head of the BC Nurses Union says that has been the reality at Abbotsford Regional Hospital as flu season adds to pressure on staff.
She wants more to be done to help medical staff cope, and is calling on Fraser Health to make changes.
“Better planning in anticipation of these kind of admission rates, these congestion and overcapacity issues,” BCNU Acting President Christine Sorensen says. “They need to address recruitment and retention issues.”
Sorensen claims at one point this week, 52 patients admitted to the hospital were on stretchers in the ER.
“This is a systems issue that needs to be addressed, and we’re asking not only Fraser Health to take a hard look, but we are asking the government to take a hard look at providing the appropriate resources.”
Fraser Health says its prepared
Tasleem Juma with Fraser Health says extra staff have been brought in to the emergency department.
“We also bring in staff to deal with identifying patients who can be discharged home and then receive home health services.”
When asked whether dozens of patients in an emergency department is acceptable, Juma explains there is careful planning for the increase.
“We do bring in staff to be able to move patients quickly, whether it’s into an admitted inpatient bed in the hospital or back out into the community so they can receive services like home health or go into residential care if that’s necessary.”
She adds it’s very important that everyone get a flu shot.
