As in almost all sectors, the intensive care department at the Hôpital de Chicoutimi is severely understaffed. So much so that, at the moment, we don’t know how to keep the services running over the weekend.
Since May, the department has recorded seven departures, including four trips just last week. In addition to resignations, many employees are already on sick leave either due to burnout or other health issues, and then maternity leave is added as well.
“Whether we’re talking about leaving on sick leave, preventive withdrawals due to maternity or other reasons, all the pressure is on employees who remain in the position,” explained the president of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint Care Professionals Association. Jean, Julie Bouchard.
In the short term, health authorities are working hard to recruit staff from other institutions in the region or elsewhere in Quebec to provide service at least this weekend.
“Another solution being considered is the transfer of patients currently in intensive care to large centers such as Quebec or Montreal,” said Joëlle Savard, communications consultant at CIUSSS in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Unfortunately, at the moment, medical conditions do not allow for transmission.”
As a last resort, there may be an interruption of service in order to provide the necessary personnel for intensive care.
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