The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) created a second pediatric ICU to address the overflow of critically ill babies and young children. .“Unprecedented feels like an overused word at the moment, but there’s no better term to describe the crisis facing our pediatric healthcare system right now,” said CHEO Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindy Samson in a Wednesday press release. .“We appreciate the additional funding from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health, which is making it possible for us to respond.”.The release said in the last few weeks, the Ottawa hospital has seen an uptick in respiratory syncytial virus, flu, COVID-19, and other viral infection cases. It said these cases are at levels never seen before in the hospital’s history. .CHEO is experiencing more than double its normal volume of younger patients, and they are arriving sicker. More kids are requiring admission, and many young patients and their families are stuck in the emergency room for long times. .The release went on to say to address the crisis, the hospital opened a second pediatric ICU, which has been reassigned from the surgical day unit. The new ICU makes five more beds available for children and youth with serious needs. .It said it will be redeploying doctors with critical care skills from other parts of CHEO to help in the ICU. It will be reassigning staff to support emergency, acute, and critical care needs..CHEO will be hiring more staff as soon as possible to provide care to patients. It will be scheduling staff from across the organization who have volunteered to provide non-clinical support to frontline workers. .CHEO President Alex Munter encouraged Alberta Health Services staff on Oct. 24 to work for his facility amid Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed reforms. .READ MORE: Ottawa hospital president calls for disillusioned Alberta healthcare workers to move.“#Alberta Health Services staff: If you feel discouraged because you're being blamed for healthcare problems rather than being thanked for 2 ½ years of tireless work... We'd welcome your dedication and expertise at @CHEO!” said Munter. .“Apply here: careers.cheo.on.ca.” .Samson said people can reduce case counts by wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces. .“At this time, we need Ottawa to come together as a community and help reduce the spread of these viral illnesses in our community, so CHEO can get back to providing care for all children and youth who need it, in a timely manner,” she said.
