Intensive care specialist concerned over temporary cancellation of non-emergency cardiac surgeries in Manitoba
After a weekend where non-emergency cardiac surgeries were temporarily cancelled in Manitoba to make room for more intensive care patients, some health care professionals say the move – even if temporary – is a major sign of concern.
“One of the things that it tells me is just what level of chaos and crisis our health care system is in right now,” said Thomas Linner, provincial director with the Manitoba Health Coalition, a health care advocacy organization.
“Those are all life-saving surgeries,” said Linner, “Yes they were scheduled and so deemed ‘elective’ but I can tell you without them, I wouldn’t have a brother.”
In a statement, Shared Health said the postponement of three non-emergency cardiac surgeries was largely due to “continued pressure on (Manitoba) ICUs… coming from the unvaccinated population.”
“This sustained surge, in addition to our ongoing challenges in consistently staffing these extra ICU beds, are impacting our ability to provide care for other Manitobans.”
As of Monday, 92 per cent of patients in the ICU due to COVID-19 were not vaccinated.
Non-emergent cardiac surgeries resumed on Monday and Health Minister Audrey Gordon said the temporary cancellations were largely a staffing issue.
"It may have been just a blip in the system due to staffing challenges,” said Gordon, “But it is certainly not widespread or indicative of what’s happening across the regions.”
Anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist Dr. Eric Jacobsohn doesn’t agree.
“A pullback on doing elective cardiac surgeries on Friday is, again, a canary in the coal mine,” said Jacobsohn. “If we were really in great shape that would not be necessary.”
The number of Manitobans currently in the ICU due to COVID-19 is rising, from 24 patients towards the end of November to 30 patients as of Monday.
Compared to this time last year, however, Manitoba’s COVID-19 ICU admission rates are actually lower.
A comparison of Manitoba ICU admissions due to COVID-19 in November and December 2020 and 2021. (Source: CTV News Winnipeg)
At the end of November and December 2020, there were between 40 and 50 patients in the ICU due to COVID-19.
Despite the lower numbers, Dr. Jacobsohn said the profile of ICU patients has changed, causing a more acute strain on the health care system.
“If we did not have the large number of unvaccinated young people with COVID, or relatively young people with COVID, staying in the ICU for extended periods of time” the province’s ICU capacity would not be breaching the 90 per cent mark," said Dr. Jacobsohn.
Last year, Manitoba alleviated ICU-related pressure by sending patients outside of the province.
That hasn’t happened yet, though Dr. Jacobsohn and the Manitoba Health Coalition both note that patients are already being moved around the province far distances.
"We know that there are people being transferred within the province of Manitoba itself, some, for whom, if they actually transferred them to another province, would be a closer drive for families,” said Linner.
“That’s the situation that we’re in right now.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.