As the number of active COVID-19 cases across York Region continue to drop significantly, Southlake Regional Health Centre is gradually rescheduling the elective surgeries and procedures that were cancelled to ensure capacity for a potential surge of infected patients.
While surgeries and procedures for the most urgent cases and priority cancer cases continued at the Newmarket hospital throughout the pandemic that began mid-March, about 700 cases per month were deferred as a result of Ontario’s chief medical officer of health directing hospitals to decrease scheduled surgeries to create capacity, according to Kathryn Perrier, manager of communications at Southlake.
The Ontario Health Central Region has approved Southlake to move ahead with the first phase of its plan to resume surgeries and procedures.
"We understand that it is very difficult for those who are waiting for surgery," Perrier said. "Right now, we’re focused on re-engineering our processes to make things as safe as possible for our patients, staff and physicians."
Resuming services gradually depends on several factors, including the hospital's capacity as it works through new protocols, the risk of more COVID-19 cases in the community, and the availability of resources, she said.
"Because there are so many factors at play, we cannot provide an estimate of how long it may take to get through the backlog of cases," Perrier added.
The potential surge in COVID-19 patients did not occur, even when cases spiked throughout April in Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King, Georgina and Bradford.
In fact, Southlake released a video April 21 to assure residents it was safe to come to the hospital's emergency department.
"As the number of cases of COVID-19 in the community decreases, Southlake will have more inpatient capacity to focus resources to resume procedures," Perrier added.
As of June 19, Southlake has no COVID-19 patients in its intensive care unit, and seven COVID-19 positive patients on inpatient units.
During the peak of the local pandemic, Southlake's acute care occupancy rate on April 13, 2020 was 74 per cent, according to a hospital spokesperson.
In comparison, the occupancy rate on April 15, 2019 — the same Monday the year prior — was 119 per cent.
On April 13, 2020, Southlake had 64 unoccupied acute care beds and nine unoccupied beds in ICU. In comparison, on April 15, 2019, the hospital had -48 unoccupied acute care beds — in other words, all acute care beds were full, and 48 patients were in the hospital's gyms, lounges, or hallways — and four unoccupied ICU beds.
As Southlake gradually reschedules surgeries, procedures and appointments, patients and families will be contacted by their surgeons' offices.
“We know that it has been difficult for patients and families who are waiting for surgeries and other care. We are working to safely resume and ask for your patience, as we know this will be a gradual process. A shift to virtual care will be part of our new way forward to help safely connect with patients and families and reduce the number of times they need to come in to the hospital,” Arden Krystal, Southlake president and CEO, said in a news release.
The first phase of the plan to resume services is focusing on outpatients, including those who do not require an overnight hospital stay.
The goal is to expand Southlake@home to support groups of surgical patients with specific needs, and working with home and community care to ensure patients have a smooth transition out of hospital, Krystal added.
Southlake is continuing to follow physical distancing and other public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
Tips for patients and families:
- If you are waiting for surgery, it is important to follow public health guidelines and recommendations to slow the spread of the virus.
- If you are contacted with a date for surgery, you will likely be asked to self-isolate for 14 days before your procedure. You will also be asked to get tested for COVID-19 in advance and will be screened for symptoms. If you contract COVID-19 during this time, the surgical procedure will need to be rescheduled.
- Because visitors are restricted, you should bring a mobile phone to communicate with your family or loved ones.
- Virtual visits, virtual registration and screening questions will be provided in advance of your appointment to reduce the time you need to spend at the Welcome Centre. This will also streamline the process to avoid line-ups.
- For up-to-date information, visit southlake.ca/covid-19/
- You can also review your screening form by clicking here.