Work to bolster hospital resources has included increasing critical care capacity, creating a dedicated 36-bed inpatient unit for patients with respiratory illness, providing enhanced education and training for staff

As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to evolve, PRHC’s leaders, healthcare professionals and staff have been hard at work creating additional capacity to care for patients with respiratory illness.

The hospital’s pandemic strategy is designed to address acute care needs and to ensure PRHC is in the best possible position to care for an anticipated increase in patients with COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks. At this time, PRHC is providing care for three (3) inpatients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of these patients are currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

In addition to steps taken earlier this month to limit access to the hospital building, restrict visitors, cancel non-urgent appointments and screen everyone coming into the hospital, PRHC has taken a number of key steps over the past several weeks, including:

  • Opening an on-site COVID-19 Assessment Centre in partnership with Ontario Health
  • Decreasing hospital occupancy to 85 per cent to create additional inpatient space – over the past several years, hospital occupancy has been at or above 100 per cent on a year-round basis
  • Converting the Green Zone in our Emergency Department into a dedicated area for patients with respiratory illness
  • Increasing our critical/intensive care capacity by adding 27 ICU beds, ramping up critical care staff and working with our partners at a regional and provincial level to ensure we have access to additional ventilators as needed
  • Converting a 36-bed hospital unit into a dedicated area for inpatients with respiratory illness
  • Initiating a staff redeployment centre to centralize information about our staff and their skills
  • Ramping up education for healthcare professionals and staff to align with our pandemic response
  • Working with our hospital and healthcare partners in the community and region to coordinate our pandemic approach
  • PRHC has been running a successful personal protective equipment (PPE) drive to ensure we continue to have the necessary equipment and supplies available to protect our patients, healthcare professionals and support staff. Our thanks to the many organizations and individuals in our community who have come forward with a tremendous show of support through these unprecedented times.
  • Anyone who wants to contribute to the hospital’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to make a donation to the PRHC Foundation to support critical investments in lifesaving equipment and technology, and supports for patients and frontline healthcare workers. Donors can also send a special thank you message to PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff. Visit www.prhcfoundation.ca or call 705-876-5000.

“This hospital is fortunate to have some of the most hard-working, caring, and dedicated people out there,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, VP, Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Officer. “As our community has rallied around us with messages and offers of support, this incredible group of people at PRHC has worked tirelessly to be as prepared as we possibly can be for what is to come. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our team as we face the days ahead, ready to provide our patients with the care and support we have trained for.”

WATCH NOW: #InThisTogether video from PRHC

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For more information:
Michelene Ough
Director, Communications
mough@prhc.on.ca