Michael Garron Hospital moves COVID-19 patients to other hospitals due to oxygen supply issues
Posted April 29, 2021 4:32 pm.
A shortage of oxygen has forced an east-end hospital to send some of its COVID-19 patients to other hospitals in the GTA.
In a statement issued to 680 NEWS, Michael Garron Hospital management says early Thursday morning it identified potential risks to its oxygen supply due to the high volume of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen.
“MGH proactively reached out to hospital partners and the GTA Incident Management System (IMS) Command table to transfer a small number of patients,” said Mark Fam, Vice President, Programs at Michael Garron Hospital.
“The hospital also brought on additional temporary oxygen capacity, so that all patients requiring oxygen in the hospital have what they need, and no patients are at risk.”
Fam also says the demand for oxygen is currently very high so it is diverting some ambulances.
“Given the demand for oxygen supply is currently very high, MGH is taking additional precautionary measures to preserve this resource as we actively work on expanding oxygen capacity on-site,” he wrote.
“… We appreciate the assistance and support from our hospital partners as we work to alleviate some of the pressure on the system and enhance our oxygen supply at the hospital.”
According to the Toronto Star, seven patients had to be transported to Sunnybrook or St. Michael’s Hospital.
The Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto General Hospital, both part of the University Health Network (UHN), have set up large tents in recent weeks as additional patient waiting areas to help reduce crowding in their emergency departments.
The deputy medical director of emergency departments at UHN says at this point, there are just too many people coming in.
It reportedly marks the first time UHN has ever needed to build tents for patients awaiting emergency care.
