Overburdened Ontario children's hospitals sending kids to Kingston for treatment
Kingston General Hospital is taking in young, very sick patients from across Ontario as children’s hospitals are overloaded.
Jason Hann, the executive vice president of patient care with Kingston Health Sciences Centre, says three patients came in on Monday night alone.
“Certainly something that we haven’t seen before,” he explains. “This is different for us, we do see surges and demands for care for pediatric respiratory illnesses, but not to this level and this early in the fall have we seen this before.”
Hann says most of the patients are under the age of two. Many cases are influenza while some are RSV patients. They are coming from all over Ontario, including from CHEO, the Toronto-area, and even northern Ontario.
“It’s really a result of the demand,” explains Hann. “We’ve seen a significant increase in RSV and flu-type illnesses in the pediatric population much sooner than we would have seen in previous years.”
The hospital has expanded the number of beds it has for children, but Hann says its pediatric critical care ward is already sitting at 200 per cent capacity, while the pediatric ward is at 150 per cent.
This is not the first time Kingston has been the site of patient transfers. It took in COVID-19 patients from other hospitals at the height of the pandemic.
The nearby Brockville General Hospital has also expanded to help CHEO. This is the first time the intensive care unit is prepared to admit kids starting at the age of 14, explains Julie Caffin, the senior Vice President, chief nursing executive.
“Normally we would transfer anybody out that requires the level of ICU care. In today’s situation, we have been asked to consider to admit those who are 14-plus,” she explains.
Caffin says that the general hospital is able to see young patients, but if ICU care were needed, in the past, they would be transferred to another hospital.
She says it’s not clear how long the surge will last, as they’ve been given no official word, but she says the peak could come in January. So far, they haven’t had a patient that young be admitted.
In Kingston, Hann says the hospital is able to keep up with local needs as well.
“We’re working well as a team to make sure that we can provide that care,” he says. “We ask the public to be patient with us as we’re managing the demands for care, but if you need the care and you’re acutely ill you’ll get the care that you need.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Atlanta Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, secure No. 1 overall pick
The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery on Sunday, landing the No. 1 pick and a potential cornerstone player in a year where there’s no clear-cut choice.