PRHC Reminds Public of Being Open 24/7 Amid Surging Patient Volumes

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Despite patient volumes surging in hospitals across Ontario, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is reminding the public that it continues to operate 24/7 to provide life-saving care and support announced on Wednesday.

File Photo.

PRHC says they have been experiencing extremely high patient volumes – both adult and pediatric – and higher patient acuity. This is combined with ongoing staffing shortages and seasonal surges as colder weather moves in according to the PRHC. They are seeing a high number of pediatric patients with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) specifically.

Anyone visiting the emergency department (ED) should expect longer-than-usual wait times aside from the most serious illnesses and conditions. Anyone considering coming to the ED is asked to assess online if their situation is an emergency or not:

  • Individuals who are registered with a family physician/practitioner should seek non-urgent care through their office before coming to the hospital.

PRHC also says that pediatric hospitals across the province are cancelling surgeries as their ICUs continue to operate above capacity. They are ready to respond to direction from Ontario’s Critical Care COVID-19 Command Centre in order to support the healthcare system response to this surge of patients under the age of 18.

PRHC encourage parents to access these helpful resources to support them in taking care of their children as the shortage of pediatric acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) products continues:

Masks remain mandatory to access PRHC and anyone will be provided medical-grade masks at the main entrance and the Emergency Department entrance if needed.

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David Tuan Bui