By noon on Friday, all residents of Yellowknife should have evacuated the city to find shelter elsewhere due to the approaching fires. The evacuation order suggested driving, but not everyone has that option. The Stanton Territorial Hospital, which is the largest in the area and serves as the center for acute care, is located in Yellowknife. It has 75 beds for various services like surgery and cardiac care. There are also multiple long-term care facilities in the city.
At 6 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, a spokesperson from Alberta Health Services reported that 48 residents from Northwest Territories have been placed in different locations throughout the province, and preparations are being made to support 150 to 200 more evacuees. They also mentioned that staff is preparing for the transportation of 33 obstetrical patients and 19 dialysis patients.
Evacuating a hospital or medical center to keep patients safe from wildfires is a complex and potentially dangerous procedure, according to individuals who have been involved in previous closures. They state that it requires careful planning, practice, and adaptability. In May of last year, approaching wildfires prompted the evacuation of Roseway Hospital in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Tanya Nixon, the vice president of operations for the western zone of the health authority, explained that they prioritized moving patients with complex needs before others. They ensured that their care plans were up to date and took into account any special equipment or care requirements they may have had. Patients who were ready to go home with assistance were supported in doing so. The majority of patients from the acute medicine beds and emergency department were transported to Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. Some were taken by bus, while others were transported by ambulance on stretchers. Rooms were rearranged to accommodate the influx of patients.
The staff had already practiced the evacuation procedure multiple times before the fire forced them to leave. They held meetings regularly before the evacuation and ensured that they had personnel in Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital to assist with the transition and to verify that there were enough beds, mattresses, and specialized equipment available. They also carried paper copies of patients’ medical records in case there were any issues accessing them digitally.
Dr. Louis Fransecutti, who cared for patients during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016, emphasized the importance of healthcare administrators sorting out the logistics before an evacuation. He stated that any urgent upcoming surgeries need to be transferred to the receiving facility and advised all residents, regardless of immediate medical needs, to take responsibility for themselves by stocking up on essentials like gas, batteries, and cash. He stressed the importance of being able to take care of oneself for at least the first 48 hours and not relying on others.
Dr. Fransecutti also recommended that individuals have a written list of their medical conditions to provide to healthcare workers if needed. He emphasized the need for everyone to be adaptable to rapidly changing conditions. He also mentioned that healthcare workers involved in the evacuation process need to prioritize taking care of themselves and each other, not just patients.
Nixon acknowledged that they did not anticipate the difficulties faced by staff and physicians trying to remove their vehicles from the evacuation zone around the hospital. They now have plans in place to address this issue.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
