CALGARY – Alberta’s health-care system could reach a breaking point and doctors may have to implement the COVID-19 triage protocol within days.
Data acquired by 660 NEWS indicates Alberta Health Services only accounts for four to six COVID ICU admissions each day, but over the last week, Alberta has been averaging closer to 10 a day.
AHS projections show Sept. 28 being when we reach "Critical Care Triage Protocol." AHS predicts 4-6 COVID ICU admissions each day, but over the last we're averaging closer to 10 a day. Meaning we could see the protocol go into effect much sooner. #COVID19AB #yyc #yeg #Alberta pic.twitter.com/tTtYHYEhUy
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) September 16, 2021
This means we could see the protocol go into effect much sooner than initially thought.
Several sources have confirmed the most up-to-date projections from AHS also don’t account for any change in non-COVID-related ICU admissions.
AHS doesn't technically have a maximum ICU capacity, 327 is just what their current maximum capacity can be. Right now, their capacity is 307. AHS has said that it would be difficult to make beds over their current maximum ICU capacity available. #COVID19AB #yyc #yeg #Alberta
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) September 16, 2021
The health authority expects it to stay at 54 patients despite fluctuation in the past.
The number of ICU beds shown available in the projections is calculated at a provincial level, meaning not every hospital will have beds available even if the provincial capacity isn’t reached.
Patients may find themselves in a situation where they are transported as the hospital they arrive at is either at capacity or over capacity.
If AHS' resources are overwhelmed, the Critical Care Triage Protocol prioritizes who gets critical care. Meaning docs have to decide which ICU patients they can save & which they can't. Data/tools are used to predict who benefits more from ICU care. #COVID19AB #yyc #yeg #Alberta pic.twitter.com/6pCbrJTPwN
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) September 16, 2021
The “Critical Care Triage Protocol” is activated once AHS’ resources are overwhelmed.
It is used to prioritize who gets critical care.
Doctors would have to consult tools and statistics to figure out which patients they can save and which they can’t save as in that scenario, there isn’t enough critical care resources available for everyone.
As of Wednesday, there are 877 people in hospital, with 218 people in the ICU.
Of those currently in the ICU with COVID-19, 194 are unvaccinated.
