'Unprecedented' traffic in children's ER prompts call for parents to know where to go in health-care system
As Health Sciences Centre’s children’s emergency department continues to grapple with a surge in flu season traffic, health-care providers are urging parents and caregivers to choose the appropriate health-care option for sick kids.
Dr. Elisabete Doyle, section head of pediatric medicine at HSC Children’s Hospital, said this influenza season came earlier than expected, combining the effects of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19.
According to Doyle, 174 patients visited the children’s ER Monday. Sixteen were ultimately admitted, half of which had respiratory illness.
“Although we’re still seeing some COVID, we are seeing a lot of RSV and influenza, influenza A in particular,” Dr. Doyle said in a news conference Tuesday.
“Our care teams continue to see children who are testing positive for multiple viruses at one time.”
Doyle said so far this month, her team treated 181 cases of influenza A, which is more than four times higher than the same month in 2019.
She said most have an ‘uncomplicated course’, but some develop complications like bacterial pneumonia or otitis media. Doyle notes parents and caregivers should look for worsening symptoms on day four or five as a sign to see a physician.
Additionally, her department saw 140 cases of bronchiolitis this month, a lung infection commonly caused by RSV. That number was three times higher than in November 2019.
To help alleviate the strain on the children’s ER, Shared Health launched a new website to help parents and caregivers determine where to take their sick or injured child, be it to the ER, to their family physician, or another health-care option.
It also gives information on dosing of adult-strength Tylenol or ibuprofen for kids over 11 kilograms. Young infants who weigh less must visit pharmacists.
Doyle believes more education on the appropriate health-care option could help curb traffic in the children’s ER.
“Most of the patients don’t need specific emergency treatment, so they could be seen at a physician’s office,” she said.
“I would suspect based on what we’re seeing, at least a 25 per cent decrease in the number of visits if we could have patients directed to the appropriate place for care.”
CHILDREN’S ER STILL MANAGING AMID CRISIS
While Dr. Doyle described the surge in traffic as a crisis last week, she notes the health-care system is still weathering the storm.
“We’re at a position right now where we’re still able to manage things,” she said.
“I would still say it’s a crisis, in the sense that it’s really challenging our resources. But, has it overcome our resources? No.”
Despite the fast and furious flu season, vaccination numbers in Manitoba remain low, with only six per cent of kids under four and six per cent of kids over four currently vaccinated against influenza.
Still, Doyle urges parents and caregivers to get children vaccinated, even if they already had the flu, as she anticipates this influenza season will last longer and peak at higher numbers.
“What we’re seeing is unprecedented, so we don’t know the direction that it’s going to go.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.