2023-07-21 12:44:34
Transfers of surgical operations abound in Calgary, according to some doctors, who say the situation is not regarding to change.
Over the past weekend, seven patients had to be transferred from Rockyview General Hospital to another facility for general surgery, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Dr. Tony Gomes, president of the Alberta Association of General Surgeons, says these transfers of general surgery for conditions like appendicitis are due to a continuing shortage of surgical support staff.
Dr. Gomes adds that this shortage particularly affects clinical assistants in surgery and medical residents. For three years, surgeons have been calling for more consistent coverage from their support teams.
Whenever we perform time-critical procedures, it is obvious that the results will be unfavorable, simply due to the prolonged wait
he says.
These surgical redirections are just the tip of the iceberg. We are seeing a gradual decrease in functionality in all major hospitals, simply because the staff is not available.
Dr Gomes believes an increase in the pay of surgical assistants might help ease the shortage, but he fears the situation might get worse.
Arun Abbi, a Calgary emergency physician and president of the Alberta Medical Association’s emergency medicine section, says general surgery transfers used to be rare in Calgary, but now he sees them two to three times a week.
These are appendicitis, intestinal perforations, gallbladder problems
explains the doctor. I’ve had a few cases where I had to rush them so they might end up in the OR that night.
According to him, this situation can lead to emergency room overcrowding and increased pressure on emergency medical services.
An ambulance is taken out of the system to transfer the patient to another location, and as we know, the ambulances are already very busy.
In a statement issued by email, the spokesperson forAHSJames Wood, maintains that emergency surgery continued to be performed on site during the transfer to Rockyview.
During a temporary surgery transfer, all patients are triaged and treated, and our medical teams assess all patients who may require surgery, as they always do.
Mr Wood adds that surgeons were present in all hospitals and available throughout the weekend for urgent care.
Certain support teams, such as those for medical residents, have not been insured at Rockyview General Hospital due to unplanned absences, including due to illness or vacation
he says.
Orthopedic and cardiac surgery as well as trauma services were not disrupted, according to AHS.
With files from Jennifer Lee
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