COVID-19: Patient transfers continue to ‘worsen’ according to network that includes Hamilton hospitals

COVID-19 hospitalizations.In a joint statement this past weekend, groups representing Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant-Burlington (HNHBB) region hospitals said pressures continue to “threaten hospitals’ capacity” for time-sensitive surgeries and procedures.The assertion comes as the networks revealed 21 patients needing 24-hour medical care were transferred to other facilities over the last three weeks.

That’s up from the 10 reported two weeks ago.“To ensure available critical care capacity in the region for patients who require it, HNHBB hospitals have undertaken a common approach to identify and, if necessary, direct transfers of critical care patients to other hospitals outside of the region,” the group said in the statement on Friday. ‘Hopefully this is the last time’: Ontario businesses reopen with cautious optimism St.

Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has been reporting regional transfers for January and said so far the moves have been confined to HNHBB hospitals, west and central region facilities.“Since the beginning of the new year, increasing pressures on hospital capacity made it necessary for St.

Joe’s to transfer less than five patients to health care facilities elsewhere in Ontario West and Ontario Central,” spokesperson Maria Hayes said in an email.“The patients require critical care, but we are unable to provide more information for privacy reasons.”Hayes said although no transfers have been made beyond west and central region facilities, patients can be transferred to other regions as well if needed.Hamilton Health Sciences also confirmed it has transferred less than five patients since Jan.