Seasonal influenza-like illnesses and gastrointestinal illnesses circulating in the community are contributing to capacity pressures in area hospitals, say health officials.
Patients, in part due to these communicable illnesses, are packing into Central Zone hospitals, which include Sundre, Olds and Innisfail, in similar numbers to Calgary and Edmonton Zone hospitals.
Last week, hospital occupancy at Edmonton's and Calgary's major hospitals was above 100 per cent with medical unit occupancy well over 100 per cent, said Alberta Health Services (AHS) staff.
Central Zone hospitals were in a similar situation, said Cathy MacDonald, AHS Central Zone South Region vice-president.
ìOur hospitals are operating at very close, if not at, capacity,î she said.
To help ease what AHS staff say are temporary pressures, several measures are being undertaken.
AHS staff said last week that home care resources were being increased, temporary beds were being opened where possible, and continuing care placements were being prioritized. As well, medically stable out-of-province patients were being repatriated to their home provinces.
ìWe are doing all we can to ensure Albertans continue to have access to the health care they need, said Dr. Francois Belanger, senior vice-president and medical director, Calgary Zone.
Meanwhile, AHS staff are encouraging residents to protect themselves and others from getting sick.
MacDonald said she believes a strain in this year's influenza vaccine immunizes against a strain circulating in the community.
Albertans can assist in easing hospital pressure by ensuring they have received their influenza immunization and know their care options, according to AHS staff.
Emergency departments are one of several options.
Some health and medical needs - including the management of many seasonal illnesses - can be best met in a place other than a hospital emergency department, according to AHS staff.
In addition to family doctors, walk-in clinics, urgent care centres, Primary Care Networks and Family Care Clinics, most cases of influenza-like illnesses can be managed at home, through self care, say staff.
Staying home when sick, getting plenty of rest, and maintaining fluid intake to prevent dehydration, are not only sufficient self-care measures for many cases, staff say they are measures that reduce the risk of spreading illness to others, and reduce the pressure on the health-care system.
Outbreaks at continuing care centres also greatly limit flexibility in managing hospital in-patient capacity, say staff.
Officials at Olds' Mount View Lodge restricted visitors in recent weeks due to illness.
As well, in both Edmonton and Calgary, there were numerous outbreaks in continuing care centre facilities and on a few wards.
As of last week, patients in Central Zone were still able to be seen in emergency departments and admitted to hospitals.
ìAlthough the numbers are high, it's not impacting people's access to get services,î MacDonald said.
