(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Day surgery unit temporarily closed at Red Deer Regional Hospital

Mar 20, 2020 | 5:30 PM

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has implemented a temporary closure of the day surgery unit at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre as one of the measures they are undertaking to prepare to care for patients with COVID-19.

“Following the postponement of scheduled and elective surgeries earlier this week, we are able to repurpose this particular unit to help ensure the hospital has beds, equipment and staff available for the expected increased demand caused by COVID-19,” Heather Kipling with AHS communications told rdnewsNOW. “This is part of our efforts to increase capacity at our hospitals for the anticipated surge in patients with COVID-19.”

Kipling explained that this work is done in conjunction with measures already in place in the community which are designed to limit transmission of COVID-19, and “flatten the curve” to minimize impact on the healthcare system.

“The goal is to limit the number of people who will need hospital care as much as possible, while also ensuring our hospitals are ready and able to cope with a significant surge in patients,” she added.

More details on what’s being done at Red Deer Regional Hospital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are expected early next week.

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