Intensive care at Chikoutimi Hospital on the verge of collapse

As in almost all fields, the intensive care unit at Hepital de Chikoutimi is minimal. So much so, that at the moment we don’t know how to continue services over the weekend.

Since May, the department has recorded seven departures, up from only four last week. In addition to resignations, many employees are already on sick leave, for burnouts or other health issues, then maternity leave is also added.

“Whether we’re going on sick leave, maternity or other reasons for preventive withdrawals, all the pressure is on the incumbent staff,” explained the president of the Association of Experts in Sagune-Lock-Saint Care. -Jean, Julie Bouchard.

In the short term, health officials are working hard to recruit staff from other companies in the area or in Quebec to provide at least one service this weekend.

“Transferring patients currently in intensive care to large centers such as Quebec or Montreal is another solution being considered,” said Joel Saward, CIUSSS ‘communications consultant at Sagune-Lock-Saint-Jean. Unfortunately, at present, medical conditions do not allow the transfer. “

As a last resort, there may be service interruptions to have the staff needed for intensive care.