The medical director of the pediatric emergency department at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Center (LHSC), a London, Ontario-based network of hospitals, says: “Most of us in the pediatric field are preparing for an incredibly challenging winter.”
dr Rod Lim shared the comments during a Wednesday morning news conference hosted by the Ontario Medical Association, which advised Ontario residents to wear masks indoors and keep up with immunizations as the province grapples with a worsening respiratory season has fight.
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Also on Wednesday morning, LHSC said its emergency rooms are experiencing a “higher-than-normal volume,” with officials expecting wait times of more than 20 hours for non-urgent and non-urgent concerns.
It was announced on Tuesday that wait times for less serious concerns at Children’s Hospital are expected to exceed six hours.
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Similar problems are being seen across the province, with a recently leaked Ontario Health report noting that many people waited longer to be seen in hospitals in September compared to the previous year and month.
Our EDs are in higher than normal volume and we anticipate waiting times in excess of 20 hours for non-issues.
Please prepare to wait. Pack a snack, water, etc.
In a medical emergency, dial 911 or go to an emergency room.https://t.co/8hX0WwRSej pic.twitter.com/vDcxd2TO7t
— London Health Sciences Center (@LHSCCanada) November 9, 2022
“This year is extremely difficult,” Lim said at the news conference, adding that he and his staff see viruses circulating outside of the times they’re normally expected.
“Right now, we’re seeing a tremendous number of patients with respiratory illnesses, whether it’s RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), influenza or COVID-19,” Lim said.
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“Right now it’s a bit of a perfect storm…obviously we have a lot of human resource challenges that a lot of other areas and sectors are facing and on top of that we have a lot of (drug) supply chain issues too.”
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The pediatric emergency room at Children’s Hospital is only designed for about 100 visits a day, according to Lim. He says the hospital saw 200 visits on Monday, followed by 180 visits on Tuesday.
This represents a record volume for the hospital, with Lim predicting November will be the busiest month for children ever.
“We see many young infants coming in with worrisome respiratory symptoms related to bronchiolitis, that’s the age group of greatest concern,” Lim added.
The observations are even more concerning, Lim said, as virus spread tends to increase with cooler weather as people tend to congregate indoors.
“Traditionally, February, January and March are our busiest breathing months. It’s only early November, so let’s all assume it will get worse before it gets better.”
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To avoid long waits in local emergency rooms, LHSC encourages prospective patients to research their healthcare options.
Individuals with non-emergency medical conditions or injuries such as Anyone with a condition such as a bruise, fever, earache, or simple fracture should consider calling their GP, if one is available, or visiting an emergency department or outpatient clinic.
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Health-related advice from a registered nurse is also available 24 hours a day through Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 and virtual care options are also offered through Urgent Care Ontario. LHSC provides a full list of alternative medical options on its website.
For those planning to visit an LHSC emergency room, the hospital network recommends bringing a snack, book, headphones, water bottle, phone charger, or something else to help reduce the wait.
– with files from Colin D’Mello and Isaac Callan of Global News
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