Rallying for a public health care inquiry
Dozens of people rallied on the steps of the Legislature Saturday afternoon. They were pushing for the province to hold a public inquiry into health care.
Updated: Sat Mar. 26 2011 17:11:13
Nahreman Issa, ctvedmonton.ca
Dozens of protestors, armed with signs, even whistles, took to the steps of the Legislature Saturday afternoon. Breath by breath, they call for whistle-blowing legislation.
The group, breaking out in chants of "fumigate the Leg," is adding fire to calls for a public inquiry into health care. Participants argue it's the only way to fully investigate allegations of doctor intimidation and over-capacity issues at hospitals around the province.
"They don't work it [health care], we do," says Sandy Kyle. "So they should be talking to us."
Kyle has been a nurse for 37 years now. She took to the microphone at the rally, saying the government needs to hear directly from front-line workers, to get to the bottom of the issue.
"If you get sick calls, you're working short," said Kyle. "We have more patients, the acuities are higher."
Several weeks ago, Independent MLA Dr. Raj Sherman alleged doctors were paid millions to stay silent, to not criticize the state of health care in Alberta. Opposition parties called for a public inquiry into the allegations.
The Tories said they wouldn't launch an inquiry, but rather sanctioned a review by the Health Quality Council of Alberta to perform a nine month investigation into wait times and physician advocacy. But the critics at the event say that's just not good enough.
"Without a judicial review, we cannot get access to people's financial records," says Liberal leader David Swann. "We cannot subpoena people, or force people to give evidence."
Friends with Medicare spokesperson says without getting the courts involved, the effort won't have any teeth.
"We've created public inquiry legislation for a reason," says David Eggen. "This is a chance to really use it."
The Health Minister argues the review is cheaper and quicker than an inquiry, meaning changes can happen faster. Gene Zwozdesky stresses it's transparent and open to all voices.
"I think we should allow them to complete that process and at the end allow a full, public reporting of the findings," says Zwozdesky. "People who are out there with something to say don't need to be asked. They should come forward. They have full protection of anonymity."
For Kyle, she just wants to make sure that happens, sending this message to the province.
"Actually listen to the front-line workers," says Kyle. "We are the people who keep them in business."
The Liberals have provided a hotline for patients and health care workers can call in with their horror stories. They too also promise anonymity if the caller requests it.
The hotline number is 1-888-886-2834. The Liberals say nearly 200 people have called in; with about 90% of those calls coming from patients.
With files from CTV's Jessica Earle…
Sunday, March 27, 2011
St. Albert Gazette
Health care workers to rally today
Speakers will support public inquiry over quality council review
Saturday, Mar 26, 2011 09:30 am | By Lauren Den Hartog
A number of health care workers are expected to speak at a public rally at the legislature today, calling for the immediate launch of a public inquiry to investigate allegations of mismanagement of Alberta’s health care system.
“We need to know why our public health system has not kept pace with the needs of our population,” said David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, in a statement.
“We need to know if health care staff were deterred from speaking out on this or any other issue that might compromise the health of patients,” he said.
Earlier this month, Independent MLA Raj Sherman raised allegations in the legislature that hundreds of patients died while waiting for emergency department or cancer care.
Sherman also alleged that doctors who spoke out were intimidated by health care officials and that millions of dollars were paid to silence those who went public.
After the allegations were raised, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky ordered the Health Quality Council of Alberta to investigate allegations that people died while waiting for cancer surgery and while waiting in emergency departments.
The council will also investigate whether or not physicians who advocated for their patients were silenced.
“It’s all well and good what they are proposing but I think it’s necessary at this juncture to have a public inquiry on health care issues with two focuses in mind that are related to each other,” Eggen told the Gazette Friday.
A public inquiry, he said, should look at the shortage of capacity in Alberta’s health care system and barriers that might prevent workers from advocating for their patients.
“It goes past this doctor issue and for all health care workers. This has been an ongoing problem,” Eggen said.
“It’s the shortage of capacity in the health system that has made it necessary for health care workers to try to speak out on this issue. It compromises the care that their patients get.”
Unlike the Health Quality Council’s review, a public inquiry can subpoena individuals to testify and grant immunity to witnesses, release its own transparent report without interference from the government and order searches and seizures, said Eggen.
“A public inquiry has the tools to do the job right, without interference from the ministry or anyone else,” he said.
“This government doesn’t have the moral authority or the credibility to fix the health care mess that they themselves created. An independent inquiry is required so that we can clear the air and move on.”
The rally takes place on today at 1 p.m. on the steps of the legislature building in Edmonton.
Speakers will support public inquiry over quality council review
Saturday, Mar 26, 2011 09:30 am | By Lauren Den Hartog
A number of health care workers are expected to speak at a public rally at the legislature today, calling for the immediate launch of a public inquiry to investigate allegations of mismanagement of Alberta’s health care system.
“We need to know why our public health system has not kept pace with the needs of our population,” said David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, in a statement.
“We need to know if health care staff were deterred from speaking out on this or any other issue that might compromise the health of patients,” he said.
Earlier this month, Independent MLA Raj Sherman raised allegations in the legislature that hundreds of patients died while waiting for emergency department or cancer care.
Sherman also alleged that doctors who spoke out were intimidated by health care officials and that millions of dollars were paid to silence those who went public.
After the allegations were raised, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky ordered the Health Quality Council of Alberta to investigate allegations that people died while waiting for cancer surgery and while waiting in emergency departments.
The council will also investigate whether or not physicians who advocated for their patients were silenced.
“It’s all well and good what they are proposing but I think it’s necessary at this juncture to have a public inquiry on health care issues with two focuses in mind that are related to each other,” Eggen told the Gazette Friday.
A public inquiry, he said, should look at the shortage of capacity in Alberta’s health care system and barriers that might prevent workers from advocating for their patients.
“It goes past this doctor issue and for all health care workers. This has been an ongoing problem,” Eggen said.
“It’s the shortage of capacity in the health system that has made it necessary for health care workers to try to speak out on this issue. It compromises the care that their patients get.”
Unlike the Health Quality Council’s review, a public inquiry can subpoena individuals to testify and grant immunity to witnesses, release its own transparent report without interference from the government and order searches and seizures, said Eggen.
“A public inquiry has the tools to do the job right, without interference from the ministry or anyone else,” he said.
“This government doesn’t have the moral authority or the credibility to fix the health care mess that they themselves created. An independent inquiry is required so that we can clear the air and move on.”
The rally takes place on today at 1 p.m. on the steps of the legislature building in Edmonton.
News 880
Dozens come out for health care rally at the Ledge
5:38pm
Click here to email Brittney LeBlanc
3/26/2011
Dozens of people were on the steps of the Alberta Legislature Saturday afternoon, braving the chill to support a public inquiry into healthcare in Alberta.
There was chanting, singing, and whistleblowing. Which started with the raging grannies swinging plastic rats by their tails, calling for the Legislature to be fumigated to remove the "rats".
Then, a slew of speakers, all supporting a public inquiry into Alberta's health care system.
Raging Grannies perform.
David Eggen addresses the crowd.
David Eggen with Friends of Medicare explains why the health quality council just doesn't cut it. "People want to get to the bottom of why it is we are short of a good quality health system here. And get to the bottom of why health workers have been intimidated over the past years as well when it comes to speaking up for patients," Eggen says.
Opposition MLA's, health care workers, and supporters were also at the rally. Eggen says that if you want to influence the government to hold a public inquiry - you should call or write your MLA. (blb, jc)
5:38pm
Click here to email Brittney LeBlanc
3/26/2011
Dozens of people were on the steps of the Alberta Legislature Saturday afternoon, braving the chill to support a public inquiry into healthcare in Alberta.
There was chanting, singing, and whistleblowing. Which started with the raging grannies swinging plastic rats by their tails, calling for the Legislature to be fumigated to remove the "rats".
Then, a slew of speakers, all supporting a public inquiry into Alberta's health care system.
Raging Grannies perform.
David Eggen addresses the crowd.
David Eggen with Friends of Medicare explains why the health quality council just doesn't cut it. "People want to get to the bottom of why it is we are short of a good quality health system here. And get to the bottom of why health workers have been intimidated over the past years as well when it comes to speaking up for patients," Eggen says.
Opposition MLA's, health care workers, and supporters were also at the rally. Eggen says that if you want to influence the government to hold a public inquiry - you should call or write your MLA. (blb, jc)
Edmonton Journal
Legislature latest whistlestop for Friends of Medicare Government has no credibility 'to fix the mess that they themselves created'
By Jennifer Fong, Edmonton Journal March 27, 2011 StoryPhotos ( 1 )
Friends of Medicare rallied noisily at the legislature to demand an immediate public inquiry to investigate serious allegations about the function and management of the health-care system.Photograph by: Rick Macwilliam, The Journal, Edmonton JournalWhistles blew loudly Saturday at the Alberta legislature, where about 70 people gathered to call for a public inquiry into allegations of patient deaths and intimidation in the provincial health-care system.
"We need to know why our public health system has not kept pace with the needs of our population and we need to know if health-care staff were deterred from speaking out on this or any other issue that might compromise the health of patients," said David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, which hosted the rally.
"An independent inquiry is required so that we can clear the air and move on, and start building a better public system for all of us to share together."
His words were met by cheers and the blowing of red whistles, which were distributed to rally-goers upon arrival.
Last month, independent MLA Dr. Raj Sherman suggested in the legislature that doctors were paid millions to keep quiet about patients who died while waiting for surgery.
Weeks later, under growing pressure, the government announced a third-party review by the Health Quality Council of Alberta of cancer-care waiting lists and hundreds of cases of patients suffering or dying while waiting for care.
But Alberta's opposition parties say the review is not enough and have since been calling for a judicial public inquiry into the allegations.
A number of politicians attended the rally, including Alberta Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann, MLA Rachel Notley of the NDP, and the Alberta Party's Sue Huff.
"A public inquiry is important because it provides clarity, comprehensiveness and, I believe, constructive closure to what has been a very tumultuous time in our public-health system in this province," said Eggen.
Further to a review, he said, an inquiry can subpoena individuals to testify, protect witnesses, and order searches and seizures.
"A public inquiry has the tools to do the job right without interference from the ministry, from the premier or anyone else," he said. "This government, I believe, does not have either the moral authority nor the credibility to fix the health-care mess that they themselves created."
Many demonstrators came carrying flags and banners and wearing buttons bearing the words Public Inquiry Now! "I think we've heard too many lies so far, or nothing, which is even worse," said Pat Alexander, a former teacher who came from Stony Plain.
"I believe in a publicly funded system and an open system where we know exactly what's going on."
Patients, she said, are not getting the care they need soon enough.
"I've watched a few people go through the hospital setup. Once you're sick enough to be in there, you get in there, you're OK," she said.
"But it's the getting in."
Health care is an issue Alexander feels especially passionate about. "As I get older, I realize how much we're going to have to depend on it."
jfong@edmontonjournal.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
By Jennifer Fong, Edmonton Journal March 27, 2011 StoryPhotos ( 1 )
Friends of Medicare rallied noisily at the legislature to demand an immediate public inquiry to investigate serious allegations about the function and management of the health-care system.Photograph by: Rick Macwilliam, The Journal, Edmonton JournalWhistles blew loudly Saturday at the Alberta legislature, where about 70 people gathered to call for a public inquiry into allegations of patient deaths and intimidation in the provincial health-care system.
"We need to know why our public health system has not kept pace with the needs of our population and we need to know if health-care staff were deterred from speaking out on this or any other issue that might compromise the health of patients," said David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, which hosted the rally.
"An independent inquiry is required so that we can clear the air and move on, and start building a better public system for all of us to share together."
His words were met by cheers and the blowing of red whistles, which were distributed to rally-goers upon arrival.
Last month, independent MLA Dr. Raj Sherman suggested in the legislature that doctors were paid millions to keep quiet about patients who died while waiting for surgery.
Weeks later, under growing pressure, the government announced a third-party review by the Health Quality Council of Alberta of cancer-care waiting lists and hundreds of cases of patients suffering or dying while waiting for care.
But Alberta's opposition parties say the review is not enough and have since been calling for a judicial public inquiry into the allegations.
A number of politicians attended the rally, including Alberta Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann, MLA Rachel Notley of the NDP, and the Alberta Party's Sue Huff.
"A public inquiry is important because it provides clarity, comprehensiveness and, I believe, constructive closure to what has been a very tumultuous time in our public-health system in this province," said Eggen.
Further to a review, he said, an inquiry can subpoena individuals to testify, protect witnesses, and order searches and seizures.
"A public inquiry has the tools to do the job right without interference from the ministry, from the premier or anyone else," he said. "This government, I believe, does not have either the moral authority nor the credibility to fix the health-care mess that they themselves created."
Many demonstrators came carrying flags and banners and wearing buttons bearing the words Public Inquiry Now! "I think we've heard too many lies so far, or nothing, which is even worse," said Pat Alexander, a former teacher who came from Stony Plain.
"I believe in a publicly funded system and an open system where we know exactly what's going on."
Patients, she said, are not getting the care they need soon enough.
"I've watched a few people go through the hospital setup. Once you're sick enough to be in there, you get in there, you're OK," she said.
"But it's the getting in."
Health care is an issue Alexander feels especially passionate about. "As I get older, I realize how much we're going to have to depend on it."
jfong@edmontonjournal.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Vegreville Observer
The Public Deserves a Full Inquiry
March 11, 2011
Friends of Medicare is encouraged by a proposal by all opposition members of the Alberta Legislature to launch a full public inquiry into the operations of our public health system.
“Albertans are sick of the white wash from this government, and no one wants a witch hunt”, said David Eggen, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare. “A full public inquiry would be just the ticket to restore public confidence in our system.”
A full public inquiry would empower front line workers to share their knowledge to help improve public health delivery. It would also help to shine a light on capacity problems that lie at the root of most of our health system problems. “We are short of long term care and acute care beds. A public inquiry could cut through the fog and let us fix this problem once and for all”, says Eggen.
Years of cuts and restructuring have left our public health system in a weakened state. Overwhelmingly, Albertans want their public health system improved and expanded, and a full public inquiry is an excellent first step towards achieving that goal.
March 11, 2011
Friends of Medicare is encouraged by a proposal by all opposition members of the Alberta Legislature to launch a full public inquiry into the operations of our public health system.
“Albertans are sick of the white wash from this government, and no one wants a witch hunt”, said David Eggen, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare. “A full public inquiry would be just the ticket to restore public confidence in our system.”
A full public inquiry would empower front line workers to share their knowledge to help improve public health delivery. It would also help to shine a light on capacity problems that lie at the root of most of our health system problems. “We are short of long term care and acute care beds. A public inquiry could cut through the fog and let us fix this problem once and for all”, says Eggen.
Years of cuts and restructuring have left our public health system in a weakened state. Overwhelmingly, Albertans want their public health system improved and expanded, and a full public inquiry is an excellent first step towards achieving that goal.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Patient Confidentiality
ctvedmonton.ca
Hundreds of patients are now being contacted by Covenant Health after a staff member didn't follow policy and some unencrypted patient information was misplaced.
Covenant Health addressed the media Monday morning saying it made a mistake after an unencrypted back-up hard drive containing 3,600 photos and two videos went missing. Some of the images include lab specimens, surgery and infant bereavement.
"Many people are worried about identity theft and rightfully so these days. We believe there is limited risk or low risk of identity theft associated with this. From my perspective, we made a mistake and we did not live up to our obligations to protect this information," said president and CEO of Covenant Health Patrick Dunelle.
CTV News was told a staff member did not follow policy and left the information under his desk. During a move on Jan.17th, that information went missing.
Covenant Health realized the information went missing on Jan. 28th and reported it to the privacy commissioner.
"A horror show like this one scares people and it concerns them," said privacy commissioner Frank Work.
Friends of Medicare say this particular incident undermines confidence.
"The government needs to standardize and reinforce the confidentiality rules that come from the province, so we don't see instance like this in the future," said David Eggen, Friends of Medicare executive director.
The staff member has been spoken to. Officials won't say whether that person has been fired.
Out of the 233 patients, 147 have already been contacted.
Covenant Health has set up a hotline and is asking patients who may have suffered a late term pregnancy loss between 2002 and 2010 to call 1-855-735-9900.
Hundreds of patients are now being contacted by Covenant Health after a staff member didn't follow policy and some unencrypted patient information was misplaced.
Covenant Health addressed the media Monday morning saying it made a mistake after an unencrypted back-up hard drive containing 3,600 photos and two videos went missing. Some of the images include lab specimens, surgery and infant bereavement.
"Many people are worried about identity theft and rightfully so these days. We believe there is limited risk or low risk of identity theft associated with this. From my perspective, we made a mistake and we did not live up to our obligations to protect this information," said president and CEO of Covenant Health Patrick Dunelle.
CTV News was told a staff member did not follow policy and left the information under his desk. During a move on Jan.17th, that information went missing.
Covenant Health realized the information went missing on Jan. 28th and reported it to the privacy commissioner.
"A horror show like this one scares people and it concerns them," said privacy commissioner Frank Work.
Friends of Medicare say this particular incident undermines confidence.
"The government needs to standardize and reinforce the confidentiality rules that come from the province, so we don't see instance like this in the future," said David Eggen, Friends of Medicare executive director.
The staff member has been spoken to. Officials won't say whether that person has been fired.
Out of the 233 patients, 147 have already been contacted.
Covenant Health has set up a hotline and is asking patients who may have suffered a late term pregnancy loss between 2002 and 2010 to call 1-855-735-9900.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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Home Life Wellness .Alberta says it's reducing ER wait times
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JOHN COTTER
Published: March 07, 2011 6:46 p.m.
Last modified: March 07, 2011 6:52 p.m.
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Text size EDMONTON - Alberta health officials say the government's plan to reduce long wait times in hospital emergency rooms is working in some ways, but in others, not so much.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said Monday the average number of people waiting to be moved from an emergency room bed to an acute care bed each day in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer hospitals has dropped by 55 per cent since September.
But officials acknowledge that it is still taking too long for people to get treatment in ERs.
With the government's health-care credibility on life support, Zwozdesky chose to accentuate the positive.
"This is a significant downward trend that indicates the situation in emergency departments is improving," he said at a news conference. "Patients who need to be admitted are getting into beds sooner."
A detailed breakdown released by the government suggests a 68 per cent decrease in such wait times in Calgary; a 42 per cent drop in Edmonton and a 68 per cent decrease in Red Deer.
But what about the time it takes to get care when a patient walks through a hospital emergency room door?
Dr. Chris Eagle, acting CEO of Alberta Health Services, said improvements on that so-called "length of stay" front will take more time.
He said part of the problem is that ERs are clogged with seasonal flu patients who all need thorough medical assessments.
"The complexity and the volume of our cases in the emergency department is anything but simple," Eagle said. "That is why length of stay is and will be a bigger challenge and why it will take longer to reach those targets."
Problems with long wait times and horror stories in emergency rooms have dogged Premier Ed Stelmach's government since October, when some physicians warned the system was so overcrowded it was teetering on collapse.
The lobby group Friends of Medicare said the government is really only moving the overcrowding situation around to different parts of the hospital system.
The real problem is that Alberta has too few acute and long-term hospital beds compared with 20 years ago, even though the province's population has grown by more than a million people in that time, said Dave Eggen, executive director of the group.
"This simply means patients are being moved from the hallways of the emergency into the hallways and nooks and crannies of the hospital wards," Eggen said.
"Build and staff the beds we need to serve Albertans. Anything short of that is misleading."
Zwozdesky said the government is making progress and anything that moves people into hospital beds frees up spaces for people who need emergency medical care.
He also noted the government is on track to complete its plan to open 360 new hospital beds in Edmonton and Calgary by the end of the month.
Home Life Wellness .Alberta says it's reducing ER wait times
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JOHN COTTER
Published: March 07, 2011 6:46 p.m.
Last modified: March 07, 2011 6:52 p.m.
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(1)
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Text size EDMONTON - Alberta health officials say the government's plan to reduce long wait times in hospital emergency rooms is working in some ways, but in others, not so much.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said Monday the average number of people waiting to be moved from an emergency room bed to an acute care bed each day in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer hospitals has dropped by 55 per cent since September.
But officials acknowledge that it is still taking too long for people to get treatment in ERs.
With the government's health-care credibility on life support, Zwozdesky chose to accentuate the positive.
"This is a significant downward trend that indicates the situation in emergency departments is improving," he said at a news conference. "Patients who need to be admitted are getting into beds sooner."
A detailed breakdown released by the government suggests a 68 per cent decrease in such wait times in Calgary; a 42 per cent drop in Edmonton and a 68 per cent decrease in Red Deer.
But what about the time it takes to get care when a patient walks through a hospital emergency room door?
Dr. Chris Eagle, acting CEO of Alberta Health Services, said improvements on that so-called "length of stay" front will take more time.
He said part of the problem is that ERs are clogged with seasonal flu patients who all need thorough medical assessments.
"The complexity and the volume of our cases in the emergency department is anything but simple," Eagle said. "That is why length of stay is and will be a bigger challenge and why it will take longer to reach those targets."
Problems with long wait times and horror stories in emergency rooms have dogged Premier Ed Stelmach's government since October, when some physicians warned the system was so overcrowded it was teetering on collapse.
The lobby group Friends of Medicare said the government is really only moving the overcrowding situation around to different parts of the hospital system.
The real problem is that Alberta has too few acute and long-term hospital beds compared with 20 years ago, even though the province's population has grown by more than a million people in that time, said Dave Eggen, executive director of the group.
"This simply means patients are being moved from the hallways of the emergency into the hallways and nooks and crannies of the hospital wards," Eggen said.
"Build and staff the beds we need to serve Albertans. Anything short of that is misleading."
Zwozdesky said the government is making progress and anything that moves people into hospital beds frees up spaces for people who need emergency medical care.
He also noted the government is on track to complete its plan to open 360 new hospital beds in Edmonton and Calgary by the end of the month.
Edmonton Journal
Fewer patients backed up in hospital emergencies
Albertans still wait for treatment longer than guidelines permit, statistics show
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal March 8, 2011 While there are fewer admitted patients blocking emergency stretchers for new arrivals, the actual wait times for emergency care have remained relatively stable in Alberta, new statistics show.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said the number of emergency in-patients -those waiting in an emergency bed for more appropriate beds in other hospital wards -has dropped dramatically since September 2010, by 71 per cent at Calgary's Rockyview Hospital and 67 per cent at Edmonton's Misericordia Hospital. That means more emergency stretchers are freed up for new patients.
"That is absolutely huge," Zwozdesky said. "It's way beyond what anybody thought it would be but it shows you the action plans are working."
Overall, the numbers of admitted patients waiting too long in emergency wards has gone down 42 per cent in Edmonton and 68 per cent in Calgary. Edmonton sees more patients from out of town, who are more difficult to discharge, and also has specialized transplantation programs where patients tend to stay longer.
"We've got a ways to go yet, but at least the trend is going in the right direction," Zwozdesky said.
But Alberta Health Services still has not reached its March-end target to have 45 per cent of all admitted patients out of emergency and into another ward bed within eight hours. In Edmonton, only the Misericordia Hospital hit that target in the week of Feb. 27 to March 5. The week before, none of the five major hospitals in Edmonton hit the target, with doctors succeeding in only 32 per cent to 40 per cent of the cases.
Patients who can be discharged after care are supposed to be seen and out the door within four hours, but only the Misericordia hit the target last week of 70 per cent of all patients. The Stollery Children's Hospital came close, with 69 per cent of patients heading out the doors within that time frame.
Improving wait times will take longer than tracking the number of emergency in-patients blocking beds, said Dr. Chris Eagle, acting CEO of Alberta Health Services.
"The complexity and volume of our cases in emergency departments is anything but simple and that's why length of stay (in the emergency rooms) is and will be a bigger challenge and why it will take longer to reach those targets," Eagle said. But he said patients are seeing the emergency doctors for medical assessments more quickly simply because there are more available beds.
Some patients also need more than four hours of care, said Dr. Cheri Nijssen-Jordan, a pediatrician and emergency doctor in Edmonton. Heart patients, for instance, need duplicate tests to ensure they can go home.
"In some cases, it is absolutely appropriate that a patient is there for a longer period of time," Nijssen-Jordan said. She also said wait times have stayed high because of the winter's seasonal spread of respiratory illness, especially in children.
Even so, more emergency stretchers have been freed up to treat them. In September, there were an average of 80 patients in Edmonton and 68 in Calgary waiting in emergency for beds in other hospital wards.
In February, those numbers sat at 47 in Edmonton -a decrease of 42 per cent -and 22 in Calgary, a 68-per-cent decrease.
New patients are therefore going to hospital and seeing nurses or doctors for faster care, Nijssen-Jordan said. "That is making life in the emergency department a lot better for both the staff, the physicians and most importantly the patients."
"Door-to-doc" times are down, said Dr. Randy Cunningham, an emergency doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital who used to see 25 to 30 of his emergency beds filled every day with people waiting for space elsewhere. Now, only about 10 of those beds are filled up each day, he said.
It may take patients longer to get through the system, but "we're seeing people faster and that's really the key issue with emergency care," he said. "You don't
know who's in the waiting room. They could be somebody with a very minor illness or somebody who is going to die within the hour."
Once patients are assessed, some may be moved back into a chair to receive medication or wait for a lab test, Cunningham said. "In emergency we're realizing you don't need a bed to treat a patient."
And patients may be discharged only to sit in the waiting room again, conceded Eagle. But if that frees up space for sicker people, so be it.
Same goes for admitted patients who may be the third patient being cared for in a room meant for two. Eagle said that isn't happening more than it did before new protocols were brought in to free up patient jams in the emergency ward. Nor has he heard patient complaints, since most understand change is needed.
"I also challenge the notion there is a crisis in health care," Eagle said. "Yes, we have challenges to overcome but every health system in Canada is facing those challenges."
David Eggen, executive director with Friends of Medicare, said the problem of overcrowding hasn't been solved.
"This simply means patients are being moved from the hallways of the emergency into the hallways and nooks and crannies of the hospital wards," Eggen said in a statement. "This so-called push protocol just moves the capacity problem from one place to another."
jsinnema@edmontonjournal.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Albertans still wait for treatment longer than guidelines permit, statistics show
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal March 8, 2011 While there are fewer admitted patients blocking emergency stretchers for new arrivals, the actual wait times for emergency care have remained relatively stable in Alberta, new statistics show.
Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said the number of emergency in-patients -those waiting in an emergency bed for more appropriate beds in other hospital wards -has dropped dramatically since September 2010, by 71 per cent at Calgary's Rockyview Hospital and 67 per cent at Edmonton's Misericordia Hospital. That means more emergency stretchers are freed up for new patients.
"That is absolutely huge," Zwozdesky said. "It's way beyond what anybody thought it would be but it shows you the action plans are working."
Overall, the numbers of admitted patients waiting too long in emergency wards has gone down 42 per cent in Edmonton and 68 per cent in Calgary. Edmonton sees more patients from out of town, who are more difficult to discharge, and also has specialized transplantation programs where patients tend to stay longer.
"We've got a ways to go yet, but at least the trend is going in the right direction," Zwozdesky said.
But Alberta Health Services still has not reached its March-end target to have 45 per cent of all admitted patients out of emergency and into another ward bed within eight hours. In Edmonton, only the Misericordia Hospital hit that target in the week of Feb. 27 to March 5. The week before, none of the five major hospitals in Edmonton hit the target, with doctors succeeding in only 32 per cent to 40 per cent of the cases.
Patients who can be discharged after care are supposed to be seen and out the door within four hours, but only the Misericordia hit the target last week of 70 per cent of all patients. The Stollery Children's Hospital came close, with 69 per cent of patients heading out the doors within that time frame.
Improving wait times will take longer than tracking the number of emergency in-patients blocking beds, said Dr. Chris Eagle, acting CEO of Alberta Health Services.
"The complexity and volume of our cases in emergency departments is anything but simple and that's why length of stay (in the emergency rooms) is and will be a bigger challenge and why it will take longer to reach those targets," Eagle said. But he said patients are seeing the emergency doctors for medical assessments more quickly simply because there are more available beds.
Some patients also need more than four hours of care, said Dr. Cheri Nijssen-Jordan, a pediatrician and emergency doctor in Edmonton. Heart patients, for instance, need duplicate tests to ensure they can go home.
"In some cases, it is absolutely appropriate that a patient is there for a longer period of time," Nijssen-Jordan said. She also said wait times have stayed high because of the winter's seasonal spread of respiratory illness, especially in children.
Even so, more emergency stretchers have been freed up to treat them. In September, there were an average of 80 patients in Edmonton and 68 in Calgary waiting in emergency for beds in other hospital wards.
In February, those numbers sat at 47 in Edmonton -a decrease of 42 per cent -and 22 in Calgary, a 68-per-cent decrease.
New patients are therefore going to hospital and seeing nurses or doctors for faster care, Nijssen-Jordan said. "That is making life in the emergency department a lot better for both the staff, the physicians and most importantly the patients."
"Door-to-doc" times are down, said Dr. Randy Cunningham, an emergency doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital who used to see 25 to 30 of his emergency beds filled every day with people waiting for space elsewhere. Now, only about 10 of those beds are filled up each day, he said.
It may take patients longer to get through the system, but "we're seeing people faster and that's really the key issue with emergency care," he said. "You don't
know who's in the waiting room. They could be somebody with a very minor illness or somebody who is going to die within the hour."
Once patients are assessed, some may be moved back into a chair to receive medication or wait for a lab test, Cunningham said. "In emergency we're realizing you don't need a bed to treat a patient."
And patients may be discharged only to sit in the waiting room again, conceded Eagle. But if that frees up space for sicker people, so be it.
Same goes for admitted patients who may be the third patient being cared for in a room meant for two. Eagle said that isn't happening more than it did before new protocols were brought in to free up patient jams in the emergency ward. Nor has he heard patient complaints, since most understand change is needed.
"I also challenge the notion there is a crisis in health care," Eagle said. "Yes, we have challenges to overcome but every health system in Canada is facing those challenges."
David Eggen, executive director with Friends of Medicare, said the problem of overcrowding hasn't been solved.
"This simply means patients are being moved from the hallways of the emergency into the hallways and nooks and crannies of the hospital wards," Eggen said in a statement. "This so-called push protocol just moves the capacity problem from one place to another."
jsinnema@edmontonjournal.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Red Deer Advocate
Red Deer Advocate
Number of emergency room patients waiting for hospital beds in Red Deer drops by about half
By Susan Zielinski - Red Deer Advocate
Published: March 08, 2011 6:45 AM
The average number of emergency room patients waiting for a hospital bed in Red Deer has dropped about 50 per cent since last fall, according to Alberta Health Services.
AHS implemented an overcapacity plan in December to reduce emergency department wait times.
When the plan is triggered at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, patients who can be discharged are moved to lounge chairs and eight existing beds so emergency patients can take their beds.
If no one is ready for discharge, existing patients could be moved to a nearby hospital or a hospital in their home community, or a long-term care facility.
Home care support would also be considered so the patient can return home.
Friends of Medicare warns the capacity problem in Alberta’s public health system has not been solved.
“It’s not a solution really. These protocols simply move people from emergency room hallways and corridors to hospital ward hallways and corridors. It doesn’t solve the problem of capacity, which is the real problem in Red Deer and all across the province,” said executive director David Eggen.
“You need the long-term care beds for people when they’re discharged from hospital. If you don’t build new ones, then you’re short (of beds). It’s as simple as that.”
In February, an average of five emergency patients each morning were waiting for an acute care bed at the Red Deer hospital, compared to 10 in September and 12 in October.
The average dropped to six in November and has held steady at five since December.
On Dec. 20, AHS implemented the overcapacity plan to reduce wait-times to under eight hours for emergency patients who need acute care beds, and those who haven’t been admitted to be treated and released within four hours.
To trigger the plan, five patients at one time need to be waiting for acute care beds for longer than eight hours and there has to be no beds left in emergency to treat those critically ill or injured.
Other triggers are when the percentage of patients in emergency exceeds 110 per cent; more than 35 per cent of emergency department care spaces are blocked due to patients awaiting admission, diagnostics or consults; no emergency department space is available for new urgent patients; acute care hospital beds are all occupied; and EMS resources are strained and could affect response times.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
Number of emergency room patients waiting for hospital beds in Red Deer drops by about half
By Susan Zielinski - Red Deer Advocate
Published: March 08, 2011 6:45 AM
The average number of emergency room patients waiting for a hospital bed in Red Deer has dropped about 50 per cent since last fall, according to Alberta Health Services.
AHS implemented an overcapacity plan in December to reduce emergency department wait times.
When the plan is triggered at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, patients who can be discharged are moved to lounge chairs and eight existing beds so emergency patients can take their beds.
If no one is ready for discharge, existing patients could be moved to a nearby hospital or a hospital in their home community, or a long-term care facility.
Home care support would also be considered so the patient can return home.
Friends of Medicare warns the capacity problem in Alberta’s public health system has not been solved.
“It’s not a solution really. These protocols simply move people from emergency room hallways and corridors to hospital ward hallways and corridors. It doesn’t solve the problem of capacity, which is the real problem in Red Deer and all across the province,” said executive director David Eggen.
“You need the long-term care beds for people when they’re discharged from hospital. If you don’t build new ones, then you’re short (of beds). It’s as simple as that.”
In February, an average of five emergency patients each morning were waiting for an acute care bed at the Red Deer hospital, compared to 10 in September and 12 in October.
The average dropped to six in November and has held steady at five since December.
On Dec. 20, AHS implemented the overcapacity plan to reduce wait-times to under eight hours for emergency patients who need acute care beds, and those who haven’t been admitted to be treated and released within four hours.
To trigger the plan, five patients at one time need to be waiting for acute care beds for longer than eight hours and there has to be no beds left in emergency to treat those critically ill or injured.
Other triggers are when the percentage of patients in emergency exceeds 110 per cent; more than 35 per cent of emergency department care spaces are blocked due to patients awaiting admission, diagnostics or consults; no emergency department space is available for new urgent patients; acute care hospital beds are all occupied; and EMS resources are strained and could affect response times.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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