'Not business as usual': Ottawa Hospital making changes to operations amid Omicron wave
The Ottawa Hospital says "It's not business as usual," as it deals with staffing shortages and an increase in patients during the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ottawa's largest hospital continues to actively recruit nurses and other health care professionals to support patient care, while using "unconventional spaces" for patients including the hospital gymnasium.
It's been one week since the Ottawa Hospital implemented its next phase of surge plans to deal with increasing patient capacity and staffing pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As the current COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, this wave is unlike anything we have seen during this pandemic, at the hospital & in our community," said the Ottawa Hospital in a statement on Twitter.
"We've had to make changes to how we operate. As much as we hate to say it – it's not business as usual."
The Ottawa Hospital says while the severity of many COVID-19 cases in hospital is lower than in previous waves, "The high transmissibility of Omicron, combined with staffing & space challenges, has created a tremendous strain."
The Ottawa Hospital has implemented new measures to address the rising number of patients, minimize the impact on staff and continue providing acute care, including redeploying staff and physicians to new areas.
CTV News Ottawa reported this week the hospital's surge plans during the Omicron wave includes moving some patients to a gymnasium at the Rehabilitation Centre for treatment.
"Rest assured that our teams have worked extremely hard to identify temporary spaces that could become care areas if needed," said the Ottawa Hospital on Twitter. "They are chosen carefully and are adapted to ensure they are safe and appropriate for patient care."
This week, the Ottawa Hospital issued an urgent request for doctors and medical students to fill in for nurses as the hospital deals with staffing shortages.
"This is a new initiative for The Ottawa Hospital, as part of our overall response to the pandemic. Like other hospitals in the region, TOH is redeploying staff to assist with the increased need for patient care during this wave of the COVID-19 pandemic," said the Ottawa Hospital in a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Friday.
"We thank our health-care workers for their tireless efforts, many of whom have taken on new tasks and been redeployed to different areas. TOH continues to actively recruit nurses and other health-care professionals to ensure patients receive the support they need."
As of Friday, 94 nurses and staff members are currently off due to COVID-19 related illnesses.
'HOPEFUL SIGNS'
While the Ottawa Hospital deals with a surge in patients and staffing challenges, it says, "There are many hopeful signs on the horizon."
Those include internationally trained nurses providing support in hospitals and increasing third dose rates amongst hospital staff.
"Thank you #OttCity for all the support you have shown healthcare workers," said the Ottawa Hospital. "There may be some tough days ahead, but as always, we will get through this because we are #StrongerTogether."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.