Health authority’s first meeting on ER capacity focuses on bed availability

The health authority’s first conference on the overcrowding issues at the Halifax Infirmary’s emergency department focuses on a handful of solutions to the growing problem, but it still doesn’t seem like a full resolve for the concerning lack of capacity.

Some solutions to the growing capacity issues include procedure review, quickly matching patients with beds and making sure beds are being used efficiently.

Acting CEO of Capital Health, Barbara Hall, told Global News the focus isn’t just on the emergency room.

“We’re concentrating on capacity,” she said. “So, how do we create some more capacity for our in-patients so we can actually move people from the emergency department up to the in-patients?”

She said seven additional beds have been brought in, but they still need at least another 12.

“We’re going to keep them open until this particular pressure is over, but clearly that’s going to be one of our strategies for the future, is to perhaps open them quicker.”

More talks with the health authority are expected to follow.

In the meantime, EHS has also said it will be looking at its practices to see how it can help with the growing crowding concern.

“We had a good discussion on what has happened, what is happening, and what needs to happen within the system,” said EHS Provincial Operations Director, Jeff Fraser.

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