Thread by @ABBedClosures

From Verified HCWs:

1) Early reports suggest BC and SK challenged/unable to receive AB ICU pts or send skilled staff (ICU RNs or RTs). Normally BC and SK depend on AB for emergency capacity. MB may be only option. 1/6

2) South Zone CRH & MHRH postponing 70% surgeries, 75% endo, 80% day procedures, 70% cardiorespiratory visits, 50% women & children's visits -> urgent and emergent cases to be prioritized. AHS says starting Monday, HCWs report it has already begun. 2/6

3) Alternate models of care "Care Hubs" across AB medical and critical care settings. Safe nursing ratios replaced by "teams" of nurses (ICU and redeployed) doing their absolute best, but struggling. Past 1 ICU nurse: 1 pt. Now 1 ICU nurse + 1 or 2 redeployed: 3 or 4 pts. 3/6

4) Multiple AB EDs (GNCH, RAH, UAH, MHRH, RGH, CRH) report having to triage or running out of BiPap, CPap, Optiflow and other advanced oxygen delivery methods over the past 3 days. 4/6

5) Though the exact number of pts in ICU varies considerably by the hour (dynamic admissions, transfers, discharges and deaths) we consistently now have the highest number of mechanically ventilated ICU patients ever in the province of AB, 254 at once on Monday 13th. 5/6

6) Red Deer ICU AB remains ICU hot spot, high volumes of pts being transferred South to Calgary. HCWs there report activating emergency staffing protocols. Transport crews report long waits to be assigned pt destinations. 6/6