Albertans are being asked to help take pressure off hospitals and care centres in Edmonton and Calgary.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) says hospitals in the two cities are experiencing capacity pressures, partially because more people than usual are requesting treatment for influenza-like and gastro-intestinal-type illnesses. The average number of influenza cases is 150, right now there are 700, pushing occupancy above 100 per cent at major hospitals and medicine units in Edmonton and Calgary, which has caused five surgeries to be canceled in Edmonton.
Albertans are being asked to help by ensuring they have received their influenza immunization (1 in 9 Albertans have received the vaccine) and understand there are more care options than emergency departments. AHS is recommending those who are suffering from flu-like symptoms go to a medicentre or see their local doctor. Only those people who are having respiratory issues connected with the flu or can't hold down fluids should be going to an emergency room.
"Emergency Departments will never turn away those who need treatment," said Dr. William Dickout, Medical Director, Edmonton Zone.
"We are looking to Albertans to educate themselves on the options available for their care to ensure they get the care they need quickly, and also to help reduce the pressures on our EDs during this season."
AHS is also asking Albertans to play a role in protecting themselves from illness by staying home when sick, getting plenty of rest, and maintaining fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Meanwhile, AHS is also taking several steps to ease temporary pressure on capacity; including, providing additional home care resources to facilitate discharge, prioritizing placement to continuing care sites for hospitals most affected, repatriating medically stable out-of-province patients to their home provinces, and opening temporary bed capacity where possible.
"We are doing all we can to ensure Albertans continue to have access to the health care they need," said Dr. Francois Belanger, Senior Vice President and Medical Director, Calgary Zone.
AHS says they're dealing with 20 illness outbreaks in Edmonton long term care facilities and wards, which limits flexibility in managing hospital inpatient capacity. AHS says they can't confirm any deaths due to the outbreaks.
If you're unsure of your treatment options, call Health Link Alberta or visit www.albertahealthservices.ca
The influenza vaccine is still available, free of charge, to all Albertans six months of age and older. For clinic locations and details, call Health Link Alberta, or visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/immunization
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