Staff at Bluewater Health are being kept busy as a surge in admissions over the holidays carries over into the new year with bed occupancy operating at about 109 per cent.
Vice President of Clinical Services Bob DeRaad said the hospital will typically see a spike in admissions around the holidays and this year was no exception.
"Traditionally, over the holiday period, December 27 is usually - historically, our busiest day of the year, and this year has been no different," he said. "We have been experiencing a surge in respiratory and medicine admissions through the holidays and post-holidays."
In terms of respiratory illnesses, Bluewater Health said its emergency departments are specifically seeing cases of RSV and COVID-19.
With emergency departments seeing higher-than-normal volumes, DeRaad said there have been some delays in getting people admitted into in-patient units.
"Just to put in context, right now, we are operating at about 109 per cent occupancy for acute hospital beds," DeRaad said.
"We do have a dedicated area in our emergency department where we can accommodate a certain number of admitted patients and we have staff that are assigned to that area to look after those patients."
Bluewater Health said occupancy fluctuates throughout the year but they run most efficiently at 80 to 90 per cent occupancy as it gives the most flexibility in terms of patient flow.
To alleviate some of the demand on emergency departments, residents are encouraged to explore other health care avenues, such as visiting a primary health care provider, a walk-in clinic, or a pharmacy for minor ailments.
"We like to reserve the emergency department for true emergencies only," De Raad said. "The other thing the public can do is, if they have a loved one in the hospital, if they can avoid visiting that loved one if they're feeling unwell at all. That certainly helps us out."
DeRaad said while Bluewater Health continues to see an influx of patients, some staff had also fallen ill during the holidays and called in sick.
"We are managing but yes, the staff are very tired as we navigate through this busy time of the year," he said.
-With files from Melanie Irwin