Hamilton Health Sciences moving COVID-19 patients to one ward

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Published April 23, 2020 at 2:03 pm

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) announced Wednesday (April 22) that they are entering a new stage of pandemic preparedness planning.

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) announced Wednesday (April 22) that they are entering a new stage of pandemic preparedness planning.

In a news release, the health-care provider said that their current COVID-19 capacity exceeds the number of cases that were projected for the area and, as a result, they will cohort patients with the virus into one ward at the Hamilton General.

“Going forward, HHS will continue to maintain the required bed capacity for patients with COVID-19 assigned to us by Ontario Health,” the release says.

“Assuming current patient volumes, we will cohort all adult, confirmed COVID-19 positive patients at Hamilton General Hospital (HGH) on units 8 West and ICU East/South, with support from the emergency department.”

HHS will also be using the second floor of the Regional Rehabilitation Centre adjacent to the General for COVID-19 patients.

Exceptions for moving some cases to the new location may be made but HHS said those decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

“Pediatric and maternal health patients will continue to receive care at McMaster Children’s Hospital/McMaster University Medical Centre and will be cohorted according to standard practice,” the release said.

In the meantime, HHS says that visitor restrictions and screening at all HHS hospitals across the city will remain in place for the ‘foreseeable future.’

“We recognize and acknowledge that the measures required to contain this virus have had a significant toll on those who rely on our services, and those who provide care,” said Dr. Wes Stephen, EVP Clinical Operations and COO for HHS in the release.

“I would like to acknowledge the ongoing remarkable efforts of our staff and physicians, and the understanding of our patients and families as we continue to manage this pandemic.”

The city of Hamilton reports that there are 354 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton.

Of those, 13 are being treated at HHS hospitals.

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