Pediatric surgeries may be postponed amid surge in patients at children's ICU: Shared Health
A surge in patient numbers at the HSC Children’s pediatric ICU may cause some surgical postponements, according to Shared Health.
In a statement, the healthcare organization said there were 17 patients in the pediatric ICU (PICU) on Thursday morning. The normal baseline capacity is nine patients.
Shared Health said that a number of the PICU patients have “medically complex” cases, which are further complicated by respiratory illness. The organization added that the number of pediatric patients coming to the emergency department with flu-like symptoms has increased over the past two weeks from 22 patients on March 18 to 47 patients on March 29.
“A mix of respiratory illnesses are currently circulating in the community,” the statement said.
“These viruses often have a more profound effect on the health of young children, who are frequently more vulnerable to serious illness.”
Amid the increase in patients in the PICU, 10 staff are being temporarily reassigned, including some from the pediatric surgery and recovery units. All life-threatening surgeries will move ahead as scheduled, but the staffing changes may result in the postponement of some non-urgent procedures. Those affected will be contacted.
Shared Health reminds parents there are a number of things they can do to protect their child’s health, including ensuring they don’t interact with people experiencing cold-like symptoms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.