SOME REFLECTIONS about my 3rd tour of duty on the COVID Ward this past weekend at FMC. Compared to Jan (2nd wave) / May (3rd wave) the #COVID19AB patients on FMC COVID Medicine service this weekend were much sicker, and yes, unfortunately vast majority were unvaccinated...[1/8]
Three quarters of my patients were on high flow O2. Previously, many of these patients would have been in ICU and not on a medical ward...I don't believe my patients on OPTIFLOW were included in the 265 patients now "in an ICU", but they probably should be... [2/8]
As a Hepatologist, I was paired with a Respirologist. ICU outreach was Peds ER doc. We did our best, under a lot of stress, but this is not optimal care. We "triaged" those sickest to see ICU 1st...fortunately we are not yet rationing who gets a ventilator... NOT YET ANYWAY [3/8]
As always, I felt very supported by the amazing RNs, RTs and other staff on U64/54 COVID wards, as well as the ICU staff and other consulting services, especially O&G/Maternal Fetal Medicine this time. My colleagues are truly amazing and there was very much a sense of TEAM! [4/8]
I relied heavily on COVID resources from @CME_UofC including the updated version of the @CalDomMed @AlbertaPLP #COVID19 Infographic (update below) that we discussed last week on #COVIDCorner...recording available here ecme.ucalgary.ca/covid-19-cme-r… [5/8]
Although ALL of my patients were unvaccinated, for many different reasons, the unifying theme was #MISINFORMATION. This was possibly the toughest to deal with...knowing these were preventable admissions. Please use this tool for vaccine hesitancy vhguide.ca [6/8]
Everyone was tired, frustrated and burnt out. I heard many comments about how frequently people cry...I do too. I saw colleagues near a breaking point...THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. Between seeing patients, we shared tips on how to stay well...additional supports are available [7/8]
CONCLUSION: #fourthwave is brutal, but was #predictableandpreventable. Public health measures were lifted too quickly, reinstated too late, in a confusing / piecemeal manner limiting their impact. WE NEED #FireBreakAB NOW TO #bendthecurve! calgaryherald.com/news/local-new… THE END [8/8]
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