KHSC warns in-patient services nearing capacity

Hospital officials say it is being driven by significant patient volumes, a complex mix of patient needs and a growing regional role.

There are apparently are fewer spaces for patients at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

In a post on Facebook, the hospital says they have been operating under extraordinary pressure over the last several weeks.

President and CEO of KHSC Dr. David Pichora says it is being driven by significant patient volumes, a complex mix of patient needs and a growing regional role. 

In that same post, the 630 total admitted inpatients is more than the 445 beds included in the 2016 expansion and the 570 beds they have been able to grow to since then within their existing footprint. 

They are warning those who may come to Kingston General or Hotel Dieu hospitals that the care they receive at their emergency departments may look a little different in the coming weeks including longer wait times or being assigned to a bed in an unconventional space that has been converted to accommodate patient care. 

But Pichora says patients who do arrive at their hospitals can still expect to receive quality care.

KHSC suggests patients with less urgent medical needs go to their primary care provider, walk-in clinic, or virtual care services.

Pichora says the doctors, nurses, and staff are doing the best they can to help those who come to the hospital.

Pichora says the increase in the number of patients coming to hospital is nothing new adding it is something that they've been facing since COVID.

Story by Ken Hashizume