In a media release last week, Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) says their emergency department is under extreme pressures, currently citing staffing shortages and increased patients needing care.
"At times, we do not have enough staff to service all areas of the Emergency Department. This is resulting in longer than usual wait times. Everyone is working tirelessly to ensure patients receive the care they need," BCHS said in the statement.
Martin Ruaux, VP of Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Executive for the Brant Community Healthcare System, spoke with CJKS to talk about the Emergency Department and the staffing shortages they're seeing as well as the volume of patients increasing as well.
"It's a national crisis; it's an international crisis and I'd say most hospitals across the province of Ontario are dealing with it. So, really, at this point, the entire organization is under significant pressure with regards to staffing. I'd say most areas of the hospital are short staffed on most shifts. So staffing shortages combined with patients needing care is creating service level pressures.
"At times, there are areas of the ED in particular where we don't have enough staff to service all of the areas of the department, meaning that we move people around so we can provide emergent care and this means that sometimes wait times are prolonged," he added.
Ruaux mentioned that COVID-19 is still contributing to the increased pressures on the emergency department.
"People may have delayed some care during the pandemic and now that they've become more ill or they perceive that things are changing they're not seeking out the care and they're coming to the hospital and they are actually quite ill. He went on to say "were also seeing higher acuity so patients whoa are sicker. So I think those things we can attribute to the COVID-19 environment."
The BCHS has asked the public to please be kind to the staff, physicians, and volunteers as they continue to work tirelessly to provide the care required.
"It's really important to acknowledge that these jobs are tough at the best of times, and right now is not the best of times," Ruaux said. "So people are sometimes struggling and we're supporting them to come to work and we're also trying to support them to take their time away from work. So I would say anyone who knows a healthcare worker please thank them."
BCHS have provided other alternative care options for the public but Ruaux did reiterate if people are experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1.
Listen to the CJKS story below: