Bluewater Health is limiting surgeries and procedures and making other changes at its Sarnia and Petrolia sites to create capacity for potential increased demand.
Effective Wednesday, March 18, as part of its COVID-19 readiness plan, all surgeries and procedures are limited to emergency and life-threatening cases.
The Pat Mailloux Eye Centre in Petrolia is closed and emergency cases will be performed at the Sarnia hospital.
Chief of Staff Doctor Mike Haddad said these are unprecedented times and they recognize that the delay of non-life-threatening surgeries can be stressful.
“We will continue to perform surgery on those where time sensitivity is paramount and life-threatening," said Haddad. "This decision was made collectively with our surgical colleagues and the unanimous belief is that this is a responsible course of action given the current situation.”
All clinics at both sites are urgent/emergency only with the exception of cancer clinics, chemotherapy, dialysis, infusion and fractures.
Routine breast screening is cancelled for patients who are generally healthy and whose condition is deemed as non-life threatening.
All impacted patients will be notified to cancel or reschedule their procedures.
Bluewater Health is further restricting visitors as well. No visitors are allowed in the Sarnia or Petrolia hospitals with the exception of one consistent visitor for labouring mothers, children, those in palliative care, intensive care, or those with accessibility accommodations.
Public entrances are being limited to the main doors in Sarnia, and the emergency departments in Sarnia and Petrolia. Each entrance will have enhanced screening of all individuals with staff asking about their recent travel history, recent contact with potentially exposed people, and if they have symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Volunteer services at the hospitals are also being temporarily halted.
For more information visit Bluewaterhealth.ca.