Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 31, 2009 12:00 PM
It’s becoming the norm around Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Staff trying to find beds for those who are admitted, but unable to do so because there are no beds available. Termed “code purple,” a phrase designed to heighten awareness of the over-capacity status at VJH, staff have been dealing with code purples on a steady basis over the last two weeks, averaging between 10-to-15 patients more than the hospital can house. On Thursday, the hospital was 22 patients over-capacity. “We try not to use the term code purple anymore, but we’re over-capacity more often than not, I can safely say that,” stated John Cullen, manager of emergency and ambulatory care. “Code purple sounds like some drastic capacity measure we’re at. It just heightens the awareness. “It’s more of a reflection of changes in our community and the size of the hospital, and we’re trying to meet those needs.” Cullen’s emergency room is housing admitted patients, anywhere from “several” to “plenty.” These are people admitted to hospital but there’s no capacity for them on the wards, as the medical and surgical wards are full.
“I don’t want to minimize it but it’s become part of the everyday culture we’re living here,” said Cullen, who stated emphatically that the over-capacity has nothing to do with anything related to the H1N1 flu. “We have code purples all year round, all four seasons,” he said. “It isn’t because there’s been any major surge. We’re seeing an increase in our numbers, yes, but code purple is not reflective of the fact H1N1 is out there.” The number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms is on the rise, but Cullen said the interventions they’re getting at the emergency room is minimal. No swabs are being done and patients may not even be started on medication. “Whatever we’re doing for them in the ER, a lot if it’s being done sitting in a chair, much like in a doctor’s office or a walk-in clinic,” said Cullen. “I’m not advising people not to come to the hospital, and I’m not saying do not seek medical attention, but more to the point we’re advising people to recognize what is their comfort with the symptoms their experiencing. “Containment from home and trying to look after themselves is the take-home message.”
Despite the increase in ER visits, and the steady stream of over-capacity, Cullen said code purples will not change the way patients are treated, saying “it’s not like we’re in a capacity of can’t function.” Still, it’s difficult for VJH administration to say if they see over-capacity easing in the coming days or week. “It’s more of a reflection that this community has outgrown the size of the hospital, which is why we’ve got a multi-million dollar project being built in our backyard, and we’re all going to be very excited to see that completion because we’ll see some alleviation at that point,” said Cullen, in reference to the new tower being constructed at VJH.“Until then, we’ll take it on the chin as it comes.” The new tower is scheduled to open in mid-2011.
--------------
Code purple requires action Morning Star Editorial: Published: October 31, 2009 12:00 PM
We all get complacent about situations that face us day in and day out, but code purple at Vernon Jubilee Hospital should never be considered the norm. Never should anyone within the public or the Interior Health Authority believe that being over-capacity is “part of the everyday culture.” For two weeks, VJH has been handling more patients than it can accommodate, including 22 patients Thursday. And while the actions of the physicians, nurses and support staff are worthy of considerable praise, there is no question that code-purple is putting extreme pressure on the system. IHA will point to the massive patient care tower as a demonstration of how it and the provincial government are responding to growing health care needs in the North Okanagan. And there’s no question that the relocation of key departments, such as emergency and surgery, will enhance the services we depend on. But as good as the tower will be, there are limitations to the impact it will have.
What good are these new departments if there is nowhere to put the patients after they have been treated. Why aren’t IHA and the government making the two shelled-in floors a priority so they will actually have beds in them? Yes such a move costs money, but what price do we place on people’s health? The time for action is now, because if things don’t change, that $180 million patient care tower will open in mid-2011, and the voice of a clerk announcing code purple will be heard through the corridors
No comments:
Post a Comment