There is no set timeline for the Dryden Regional Health Centre to resume scheduled surgeries.
The Ontario government is allowing hospitals to start preparing for the resumption of surgeries and procedures.
DRHC Chief Executive Officer Doreen Armstrong-Ross says a lot preparation is needed.
Armstrong-Ross says there are strict and comprehensive provincial guidelines and checklists that must be met before they can re-start.
That includes having a stable supply of personal protection equipment.
The hospital must ensure the safety and security of all staff and patients including physical distancing.
The facility must also have a safe transition plan for the discharge of patients.
Another measure is maintaining no more than 85% capacity.
Armstrong-Ross says “We are a 42 bed facility. So we can’t have more than 35 patients in, including the surgeries, to leave that bed capacity for any additional COVID patients that may come in.”
She stresses the re-start will be a coordinated effort with their regional partners.
“Other than our two surgeons that live in Dryden, our general surgeons, most of our surgeons come from other communities and of course their working on the same processes in their home hospitals. So it’s going to be a very coordinated, measured, thoughtful approach.”
Armstrong-Ross says she doesn’t anticipate any delay, noting visiting specialists are booked one year in advance.
She adds the hospital has an extensive waiting list for surgeries right now.
“Looking at our waiting lists for our other departments. Obviously our waiting lists for rehab, diagnostic imaging, different tests that were non-essential are piling up. And then using a real ethical framework, prioritize what’s going to be done as we ramp up services again.”
A multi-disciplinary committee in place to help guide the hospital through the process over the next couple of weeks.
Armstrong-Ross say they hope to resume surgeries sooner rather than later because the community has done a great job to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
To hear more from Doreen Armstrong-Ross, visit the Audio link below.
