To head off an expected increase in demand and as well staff absenteeism due to Omicron cases, the Saskatchewan Health Authority says it’s updating its COVID-19 surge plan.
SHA says the revamped plan has five facets to ensure the best care is available to residents:
- Medical “Go Teams” that can quickly deploy across the province to support local staff
- Optimizing acute care capacity as well as the flow in ER’s
- Maintain EMS supports that have been set up for previous COVID surges
- Implement more cross training of staff to handle multiple needs and use supplemental workforce teams
- Service slowdowns when and where needed.
The SHA adds the plan will be rolled out if the province is facing a significant increase in acute care patients at hospitals, or if the healthcare system faced potential staffing shortages as front line workers self-isolate due to COVID.
SHA officials say the plan would ensure staff are available to raise capacity in phases as demand increases.