To support staffing levels in Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) inpatient units and while two units remain in outbreak at CKHA, ambulatory care services will be reduced at both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites until further notice.
Hospital officials say this temporary measure will enable the organization to redeploy ambulatory care staff to assist in non-outbreak units and maintain capacity for the provision of inpatient care at both sites.
Taking effect on Monday, February 8, 2021, service levels will be reduced across all ambulatory care clinics with exceptions for individuals requiring emergent care; these patients will be monitored closely by their care team, CKHA officials say.
Ambulatory oncology (cancer) and dialysis clinics will remain unchanged.
Ambulatory care clinics at the Wallaceburg site will be consolidated to the Chatham site during this time to better meet staffing needs.
“Please note, there will be no changes to the Wallaceburg ambulatory care Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) clinics with these reductions,” hospital officials said in a press release.
“Patients will be contacted in advance by their physician’s office if their scheduled appointments are affected.”
In response to the COVID-19 outbreaks recently declared on CKHA’s COVID-19 unit and medicine A/B Unit, extra safety precautions such as cohorting staff and staff isolation requirements as per Chatham-Kent Public Health guidelines have affected staffing levels across the organization, hospital officials say.
“CKHA continues to rely on the best available evidence and practices across the region to ensure we make the work conditions for those redeployed respectful and supportive,” hospital officials added.
“CKHA would like to remind the community that the hospital remains a safe place to receive care. If you are experiencing an emergency, please do not hesitate to visit your nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1. CKHA would like to thank its patients and care partners for their understanding during this time. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
