Care during transition focus of free AHS forum

“It can be simply ‘How does a patient who’s critically ill and has been supported in intensive care or in the ICU for a period of time get transitioned out into the ward?’” says Dr. Sean Bagshaw, a U of A professor, practicing doctor in Edmonton and chair of the CCSCN.

“How does a patient who’s been sick in the ICU, who’s been transitioned to the ward, now transition into the community? And how do we address their rehabilitative needs? Or alternatively, as we’ve seen increasingly in the hospital when we have a patient in the ICU sometimes, we just charge them directly home or into the community. Are we servicing all the needs that they require for that transition in care — both for the patient and the caregivers?”

Charlene McKenzie, who turns 60 next month, is a former hospital patient in Red Deer and has worked for AHS for nearly 40 years. She is currently a unit clerk at the hospital in Innisfail.

It was January 2017 when McKenzie fell ill with pneumonia, which led to complications that ultimately saw her put into a medically-induced coma.

Her doctors told her she would’ve died at home if she hadn’t gone to see a medical professional when she did.

“I was offered everything I might need. I had occupational therapy come to my home and decide what I needed for aides. I needed a raised toilet seat because I had muscle damage in my legs, and a bar for my bathtub, and there was of course homecare offered which I didn’t take,” she recalls.

McKenzie admits she isn’t your average patient, however, exuding determination, stubbornness, and not to mention an eagerness to get home to her beloved Yorkie named Faith.

“I’m hoping that this forum will help other patients. In December we had a talk about delirium,” she says.
“There were other patients there who were able to express how they felt and what could’ve been better for them.”

As a hospital employee herself, McKenzie says the discussion around care during transition comes back around to the need for hospital expansion in Red Deer.

“Daily we are getting patients here from Red Deer that need to recuperate from, say, hip surgery because they don’t have enough beds or are over-capacity,” she says. “They then reach out to smaller hospitals to take the load off. They definitely need more room or another hospital.”

If you’re interested in attending Tuesday’s free event, email popy.karavidas@ahs.ca, or you can just walk up.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Care during transition focus of free AHS forum

What's Trending