toh

The current COVID-19 situation has created rapidly increasing pressure on the health-care system, surge capacity, ICU space, and patient-care capability throughout the province. Despite the current stay-at-home order, the situation continues to escalate, and we have not yet reached the peak of the third wave, which is tremendously concerning.

The Ottawa Hospital has been planning for a situation like this since the onset of the pandemic and we are well positioned to respond to the increasing needs of the community. However, as the cases continue to climb, we expect that the hospital will need to implement Level 2 surge plans in the coming days. This means that we will implement increased bed capacity, redeploy staff that will be freed up from the ramp down of non-urgent/emergent services, and implement adjusted staffing models of care. All of us will be asked to adjust and do things differently so we can support our colleagues caring for the critically ill and those on COVID-19 units. Whether it is through providing support on in-patient units, or supporting the vaccination clinic efforts, we will adjust our practices to care for those who need our help.

The Ottawa Hospital has enough surge capacity to be able to care for upwards of 220 COVID-19 patients. We hope to never get there, but we are well prepared if we have to.

These are unprecedented times for all of us, and such a situation brings up many emotions including fear, anxiety, and a loss of control about what the future may bring. This pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but it has been particularly challenging for health-care workers. Now more than ever, we need to help and support each other, especially our health-care workers. We have been able to provide exceptional care to this community for the past year, and we will work together to continue doing that during this wave.

The best thing that the public can do to support us right now is to follow public health guidance and the provincial stay-at-home order. If you can stay home, please stay home. It keeps those who need to leave the house safe, and protects the staff and patients in our hospitals.

One thing that all pandemics have in common is that at some point they do come to an end, and so will this one. We just need to keep supporting each other to get through this next wave and continue the great work that we have been doing so far for just a little longer. Staff at The Ottawa Hospital continue to provide the care we would all want for our loved ones every day under these difficult conditions. That kind of commitment, compassion, and kindness will get us through this pandemic.