Wow 😬 @ahs_media tweeting out a photo of ICU patients double-bunking (this is NOT normal)
They really want everyone to know how serious this is!!!
Look at each patient. Look how many tubes/lines are coming out of them, every one corresponding to pump or machine. Both patients are proned (turned on their tummies) for better oxygen exchange. It takes 5 staff to turn them over carefully so the tubes/lines don’t get yanked out.
Where are these 5 staff supposed to go?

Imagine if a patient’s hearts stops, and a resuscitation (a “code”) is called. 8-10 healthcare professionals would need to run in, find space to start doing chest compressions, trading off every 30 seconds, while others give IV meds.
This is what we mean by suboptimal, compromised care that is necessitated by overloading ICUs with patients. This is not ideal, but thought to be safer than alternative options (creating ICUs on regular ward, expanding to tents, etc)
Make no mistake - AHS knows that this looks really, really bad.

Publishing this tweet must have required sign off from no fewer than a dozen administrators.

They are DESPERATE for Albertans to understand how dire this situation is!!!

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More from @GermHunterMD

15 Sep
#PopAB briefing on #longcovid on now.
Now speaking is Dr Jason Weatherald @CalgaryPHdoc
10-15% of infections - all infections, not just severe cases - can be complicated by long term symptoms
Charlise, a brave 15 year old girl, sharing her #longcovid journey. Chest discomfort, anxiety, fatigue #PopAB
Read 4 tweets
15 Sep
Canada: Alberta healthcare system on verge of collapse as Covid cases and anti-vax sentiments rise

Includes coverage of open letter signed by 74 ID doctors:

“Our healthcare system is truly on the precipice of collapse”

theguardian.com/world/2021/sep…
“It’s not easy to go to work every day and watch people in their 30s die,” an ICU nurse in Edmonton told the Guardian.

“Having to help a family say goodbye and then going through the actions that are required at the end of someone’s life, is worse than anyone can imagine.”
“As soon as those breathing tubes come out, we’re kicking people out of ICU to make space for someone else,” said another nurse. “It’s getting bleak. It’s hard to watch.”
Read 6 tweets
15 Sep
74 Infectious Diseases doctors agreed on the following:

"Hospitals and ICUs across the province ... have reached a point where it is unclear if, or for how much longer, we can provide safe care for Albertans... Our healthcare system is truly on the precipice of collapse."
"... [T]he current measures do not go nearly far enough to interrupt transmission or reduce barriers to vaccination... [and] the current state of healthcare capacity in Alberta is so dire that waiting to see results of current ... measures will result in devastating consequences"
"... To prevent broad restrictions like those required in earlier waves, we are calling for immediate implementation of certificates of immunity that individuals must provide to enter any indoor public space for the purpose of accessing a non-essential service..."
Read 8 tweets
23 Jun
Our newest study of #emergingfungalinfections

Covid-assoc #aspergillosis reportedly occurs in <1/3 ICU patients, but dx is rarely biopsy confirmed

By reviewing autopsy studies, we found proven invasive mould infections occur in 2% of decedents w covid

sciencedirect.com/science/articl…
Major caveat is that most autopsies included were from first wave, pre-#RECOVERYtrial and use of steroids and other immunomodulation likely increase risk of #CAPA.

NB to know your local epi, which may differ; for eg of centers reporting >>> rates, see link.springer.com/article/10.100… &👇
Big congratulations to Dr Brittany Kula (@ScrofKula), ID fellow extraordinaire @UofA_ID and soon @UAlberta_ICU fellow, for doing a wonderful job leading this study. Brittany is pictured in the first tweet, and here is her cat Gladys
Read 4 tweets
24 Dec 20
I was today years old when I learned about “human wine decanting” 😱

Infectious diseases is NEVER boring! Image
This 🐇 🕳 😂 Image
@skepticalIDdoc we need to spice up Adult ID Notes a bit more, a la “Reflections of an ID Specialist”
Read 4 tweets
18 Oct 20
Confused about remdesivir in light of the Solidarity trial?

Some experts say the data prove no general mortality benefit. Others say the study was flawed.

Fortunately there have been thoughtful analyses on Twitter from smart & respected ID experts which I’ve threaded together👇
Firstly, how did we get here? A review of the timeline of remdesivir studies and their findings by @zchagla
Thoughtful analysis in the conflicting data from Dr Paul Sax, one of the most respected ID minds around
Read 8 tweets

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