HOW HOSPITALS INTEND TO CARE FOR SENIORS IF THERE'S ANOTHER WAVE
Jul 24, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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Ontario hospitals are planning to provide off-site care to seniors in anticipation of a resurgence of COVID-19.
When the pandemic first hit, most elective surgeries were cancelled to clear space for a surge of critically ill patients that never came.
Hospitals also emptied beds, discharging many patients to long-term care and retirement homes.
Experts say more hospitals should follow the example of a home-care program at Newmarket’s Southlake Regional Health Centre, that’s helped seniors be discharged quickly and return home with healthcare support.
Several have similar programs, including North York General and Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
The CEO of Kingston Health Sciences Centre, and a member of a government committee planning for the next wave, says it’s about transitioning from crisis management to living with COVID.
”Noboy wants to go back to what we were doing in April,” says David Pichora.