Arnprior hospital postpones non-urgent surgeries

ARNPRIOR – In an effort to free up resources in the fight against COVID-19, the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital is postponing non-urgent surgeries.

“The continued growth of COVID-19 cases across Ontario has resulted in the provincial hospital system experiencing unprecedented hospitalizations and demand for ICU beds,” hospital communications manager Melissa McDermott released in a statement today (April 22). “In response, ontario’s chief medical officer of health has issued a new directive for all Ontario hospitals, with the exception of pediatric specialty hospitals, to temporary stop all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures.”

Effective Monday, April 26, Arnprior Regional Health (ARH) will postpone all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures until Ontario’s chief medical officer of health provides updated direction. Emergency or urgent surgeries and procedures will continue, and these will be determined by the clinical team using decision-making processes that are fair and transparent.

“The cancellation of non-urgent surgical procedures is being done to help liberate needed space and human resources to support patient transfers and clinical care as Ontario works together through the third wave of COVID-19,” ARH President Eric Hanna said.

This week, ARH will be notifying patients affected by the surgical cancellations.

“Our inpatient unit team has been working hard over the past week to accept as many transfers as possible from Ottawa area hospitals to help them free up capacity so they can take COVID-19 patients from Greater Toronto Area hospitals,” Hanna said. “We will continue to do everything we can to support the Ontario health system through this COVID-19 outbreak.”