Capitale-Nationale: Nearly $1 million has been urgently granted to relieve congestion in hospitals

The CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale awarded without invitation to bids two contracts worth a total of $924,840 to urgently purchase 25 temporary beds in seniors' residences and to deal with “extreme pressure” in hospitals.

The two contracts, announced Monday morning, were concluded by mutual agreement in mid-December under a provision of the law that allows organizations to award contracts with a value greater than the solicitation threshold during emergency situations.

This way of working can be explained by the need to “deal with emergency overcrowding”, as we can read.

“Québec services operated by a high level of pressure” are located in the house of viral infections, just see the document that says that December has arrived in the hall of the apartment in the hotel of Châteauguay au. Beginning of December.

“big danger”

According to the description of the contracts, it was the Ministry of Health that “urgently requested health institutions in Quebec, last month, to sign agreements” in order to redirect so-called “alternative level of care” (NSA) users. The latter are admitted to hospital without Medical necessity, because they are waiting for a place in a special residence for the elderly (RPA).

“Beds being occupied by individuals who no longer require hospital care pose a significant risk to residents, jeopardizing their access to essential care. At the same time, other patients who urgently require hospital treatment face delays or inability to arrive.” To this family, putting their lives in danger.

Companies Lokia Lebourgneuf inc. Pavillon des Mille Fleurs Inc., which operates accommodation centers in Quebec and Lanciennes-Lorette, won the two contracts totaling 25 beds for a six-month period.

“By purchasing these spaces, we are bringing health care and services in the right place to the right person and making hospital environments more accessible. […] “For people who require acute and critical care,” CIUSSS spokeswoman Annie Ouellet explained in a statement to the magazine.

“These people will be able to leave the hospital environment at the Alternative Care (NSA) level, for that [de] “They are receiving rehabilitation or other care while they wait to be able to return home safely,” she said.

More than 100% occupancy

According to Index Santé, the occupancy rate of emergency stretchers was 113% on Monday in the national capital, slightly higher than the average of recent days and lower than the provincial average of 135%.

“We are currently experiencing continuous traffic, but it is typical for this time of year in the five emergency rooms at CHU de Québec-Université Laval,” noted Michele Schaffner Junius, spokeswoman for the hospital centre, who calls on people to use other alternatives available to them “when it is possible.” “It is possible.”

The Ministry intends to launch a call for proposals no later than February for a long-term contract, which is specified in the document. For the national capital, the ministry has allocated a budget to shift up to 35 employees to temporary beds

“This type of measure aims to free patients who occupy a bed, especially at CHU de Québec-Université Laval, who no longer require active care from the hospital to more appropriate care or living environments that better meet their needs. Hence this [va] “Helping make it easier to transfer patients from the emergency room who need acute care to the floor more quickly,” said Ms. Schaffner Junius.