Currently, twenty nurses out of 52 are absent at the Chicoutimi Hospital, mainly due to maternity or sick leave, which forces the healthcare professionals to accumulate overtime.
Today (Friday), things are a little better. It was very intense last week, this weekend and at the start of the week. There, unfortunately, we had service breakdowns and now we are starting to get help, reported Dr. Bouchard, in an interview with Radio-Canada.
At the height of the crisis, children had to be sent to the Alma Hospital due to the lack of personnel in Chicoutimi.
What must be understood is that, as in many specialties, Chicoutimi remains the regional hub, the regional lung for pediatrics, neonatology, obstetrics and perinatal care. Unfortunately, it hurts our hearts a little to see that there is a lack of staff in the hospital, nurses, respiratory therapists, nursing assistants to come and help our children who are currently sicker than usual at this time. this time of year , commented the head of the department.
Dr. Bouchard affirms that the management of the Integrated University Health and Social Services Center (CIUSSSIntegrated University Health and Social Services Center) could have foreseen the blow since the appearance of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which particularly affects babies, took place earlier in hospitals in the Montreal area.
This virus can have serious consequences for infants, especially those under three months of age. You should know that from birth to three months, newborns breathe only through the nose. the VRSrespiratory syncitial virus can therefore prevent them from breathing. They can thus find themselves in respiratory distress and often need oxygen. Sometimes babies even have to be intubated.
At the end of last week, five babies needed breathing support.
In Montreal, it’s been a month since we were warned that this virus had arrived, that this virus looked nastier than the past few years. It was something you could see coming. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the help we needed when the sickest patients arrived. , continued the pediatrician.
Increase in births
The increase in the number of deliveries at the Chicoutimi Hospital is also putting pressure on the pediatric and neonatal departments.
% of normal births. The obstetrics department and the others are all interrelated. As there were more births, there were more babies who, at birth, could be sick “,” text “:” We attended a COVID Baby-Boom, where there were more births , especially this summer when we had almost 50% of normal births. The obstetrics department and the others are all interrelated. As there were more births, there were more babies who, at birth, could be sick “}}”>We have witnessed a COVID baby boom, where there have been more births, especially this summer when we had almost 50% of normal births. The obstetrics department and the others are all interrelated. As there were more births, there were more babies who at birth could be sick , continues Dr Bouchard.
As of Friday, 10 babies occupied neonatal beds out of a total capacity of 10. The department could accommodate five more physically, but the required staff is lacking.
If there are babies who are a little sicker, once again, we will be forced to create even more mandatory overtime for our nurses. , continues the pediatrician, comparing the situation to a perfect storm, with the presence of the VSRvirus respiratoire syncytial.
The head of the department noted the exhaustion of the staff.
There is no hierarchy in our departments. Our goal is to provide good care, quality care. It really hurts us to see that the nurses, inhalos and all the hard-working hospital staff are so tired right now. , laments the doctor.
If the situation continues, breakdowns in services are to be expected, as the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, announced this week.
