Pressures remain despite new tower

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: October 05, 2011 1:00 AM 
Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s new tower may be open, but concerns about overcrowding continue. Just two days after the Polson tower was unveiled Sept. 25, doctors say there were 155  patients although VJH is funded for 148 acute care beds.  “The hospital is still way over census, and operating rooms are still being cancelled,” said Dr. Ed Hardy, medical staff president and an oncologist. “This is following on the heels of a summer of OR slowdowns pending the new move, so all of the surgeons have a backlog already. I am expecting a tidal wave of new cancer consults when the surgeons can get their patients in.”  On Monday, the Interior Health Authority stated the census was 141 in the afternoon while it was 153 in the evening, according to doctors. While some politicians suggested the new tower  would alleviate pressure at VJH, Dr. Chris Cunningham insists that isn’t the case. “There are still patients housed in makeshift wards like MASH units, crowded into small rooms and alcoves,” said Cunningham, who has been part of a group lobbying for two floors in the tower to be completed for beds. “This is indecent to continue to care for patients in this way.” Cunningham says such conditions don’t allow for privacy and can lead to higher infection rates. “The new tower is an excellent facility providing modern facilities and services to assess patients in ER, operate on, or deliver a baby,” he said. “But the issue of overcrowding and patient care on wards continues to remain the same and will so until those top two floors are provided for acute care bed wards,” he said.

Interior Health Authority officials believe the tower has had a positive influence on congestion.  “Occupancy has not been as high as it has been,” said Allan Sinclair, vice-president of acute services. “The pressure is a lot less. Census has not been full yet.” Sinclair expects a more accurate indication of how the tower impacts overcrowding in two weeks when all operating rooms are running and there is a better sense of how the building functions. “There are all kinds of annoyances just like if you move into a new house. But we are pleased with  what we’ve got,” he said. Health Minister Michael de Jong has indicated that there may be no decision on additional acute care beds at VJH until the end of the year. “I’m not letting up on the lobbying,” said Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster, adding he’s not surprised it’s taking time for the ministry to determine if the project will proceed. “There are huge financial challenges and that’s what we’re working out. My priority is the beds but I had people in my office who want group homes (for the developmentally challenged). There isn’t a bottomless pit of money.”
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Problem persists Richard Rolke
Back in July, Shuswap MLA George Abbott insisted he couldn’t join lobbying efforts for more acute care beds at Vernon Jubilee Hospital because the new tower should create greater efficiencies for patient flow.  “The sensible thing to do is complete the $180 million (tower) and see how they can manage capacity issues,” he said at the time. “There is no experience on what will happen with capacity.” Two days after the Sept. 25 opening of the tower, doctors say the patient census was 155 in a facility funded for 148 acute care beds. On Monday, administration stated the census was 141 in the afternoon while it was 153 in the evening, according to doctors. “Patients and wheelchairs are spilling out of rooms into narrow, crowded hallways in the old hospital,” said Dr. Michael Concannon, an emergency room doctor, this week.  “So patients get their initial treatment in a state-of-the-art emergency department and operating rooms, then they’re wheeled off into a dilapidated old building and warehoused for the remainder of their hospital stay, unless of course they’re ‘lucky’ enough to be critically ill and qualify for an ICU bed in the new building.” It’s anticipated the situation will get worse after summer-related operating room slowdowns and preparations for the move. “All of the surgeons have a backlog already,” said Dr. Ed Hardy, an oncologist and president of medical staff.  “I am expecting a tidal wave of new cancer consults when the surgeons can get their patients in.” Residents and medical professionals have been demanding action to ease chronic overcrowding. The solution they put forward is completing the two top shelled-in floors in the tower, as well as providing the necessary nursing staff.

It’s a cause that has been enthusiastically embraced by Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster, who has lobbied Premier Christy Clark and Health Minister Michael de Jong.  Unfortunately, Foster appears to be a lone voice in the wilderness within the provincial government.  Abbott refuses to say whether the floors should be completed, Clark hasn’t stopped in Vernon and de Jong said last week that a decision on beds may not come until later this year. The delay comes despite de Jong touring VJH in the spring and saying that the situation was being reviewed. Yes money is tight these days and the cost for constructing the floors ($20 million) and operating ($20 million annually) is staggering.  But the file has been in the ministry’s hands since April. How long does it take to say yes or no?  The longer the issue festers, the more at risk  Foster and Abbott are of not being re-elected in 2013. If any issue could galvanize local voters against the Liberals it could be this one.  But more importantly, a Christmas announcement about funds means any move towards construction will just take longer. There will be no immediate relief for patients shoved into halls. Physicians are reluctant to slam the government and trigger a potential backlash but frustration is growing. “Given the continued severity of the dire overcrowding problem at VJH, we are hopeful that a solution will be announced sooner, rather than later by our provincial government,” said Concannon.