The CISSS de l’Outaouais prepares regional hospitals
The CISSS de l’Outaouais prepares regional hospitals
Le Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de l’Outaouais will start taking some actions to prepare regional hospitals to receive patients with COVID-19.
The goal is to free up hospital beds in the Outaouais, as explained by CISSSO CEO, Josée Filion.
The CISSS de l’Outaouais will therefore take the following actions:
– Cancellation of all elective elective surgeries.
– Transfer of patients who are at the end of active care, those who no longer requires the technical platform of the hospital and daily visits by a doctor.
– Reductions in appointments in outpatient clinics and diagnostic services.
The CEO indicated that the objective is to free up “60 to 70 beds” in the hospitals, “mainly at the urban level”.
This will have an impact on the travel of certain users of health services, who will have to postpone certain appointments. Persons whose appointments will be rescheduled will be notified by telephone. Josée Filion also points out that no patient in need of care will be affected by these measures.
Still no case of COVID-19 in Outaouais
The CISSS de l’Outaouais also maintains that there have been no reported cases in the region to date. Since March 6th, 532 screening tests have been performed, including 160 at the clinic located at 135 boulevard St-Raymond, in Gatineau.
According to the infectious disease consultant at the Outaouais Public Health Department, Dr. Carol McConnery, “at least” about fifty results were received for the Outaouais, all negative. She believes that the addition of new laboratories to perform test analysis in the province will help shorten the wait time between the screening and the receipt of the result.
The medical consultant also indicates that all the patients tested are recalled with the results received.
The CISSSO is awaiting 308 results for the entire region. The public health service also ensures that all those awaiting a result are in confinement at home and that they will be informed of their results.
Dr. McConnery also reiterated the importance for the people affected by the various measures to respect them and to remain in isolation if required.
Staff recruitment
To date, a total of 44 people have responded to CISSSO’s call to bring help to the health network, and most of them are retirees. “We need staff in this crisis situation, and we are asking anyone who has experience in the health and social services field to contact us,” said Josée Filion.
[(Remember that people with symptoms or who have traveled are requested not to show up for their scheduled appointments and to contact the line 1-877-644-4545 so that they can be tested for COVID-19. Ayone with concerns related to COVID-19 can contact Services Québec at that same information line.)]
CHIP 101.9 is still awaiting a response from the CISSS de l’Outaouais regarding the screening center requested in Pontiac by Warden Jane Toller.
To learn more about the coronavirus, the public is invited to consult: quebec.ca/coronavirus
