Worst yet to come in Alberta’s COVID fight, says ER doc

CALGARY – Several doctors, health experts, and even Alberta Health Services are sounding the alarm as there are growing concerns overcapacity in the province’s intensive care units.

Emergency room Dr. Joe Vipond believes the worst has yet to come.

“We’re growing around 50 per cent over a seven-day period with a doubling time around 14, 15 days. That is more than what the government has been projecting, so I think it’s pretty likely we’ll be at 400 ICU patients by the end of the month,” Vipond explained.

“And I guess the caveat to that is if we let people die because we have no room.”

READ MORE: ‘ICUs are under extreme pressure’: Hospitals overwhelmed as COVID cases continue to climb in Alberta

Vipond is concerned over ICU capacity, saying we could see AHS introduce its last resort measure soon.

The Critical Care Triage Protocol is activated to prioritize who received critical care once AHS’ resources are overwhelmed.

Doctors would have to figure out which patients they can save and which they can’t save as in that scenario, there aren’t enough critical care resources available for everyone.

“It’s hard to manage that with finite resources. The way to manage this is to put in good pandemic public health measures [in place],” Vipond said.

“I realize it’s too late for that, but eventually we’ll fail. That’s why this talk of health-care collapse is not overblown.”

RELATED:

• AHS could implement last resort COVID-19 protocol within days

• Alberta’s COVID-19 situation forces specialty docs to act as ICU reinforcements

• Alberta would be better off if restrictions came sooner: Tam

Vipond explains that Alberta will be at 100 per cent ICU capacity next week, and predicts the province to have 400 ICU admissions by the end of September.

Meantime, AHS is asking Albertans to try and help reduce pressure on the health-care system.

“This fourth wave has resulted in the sharpest increase in ICU patients that we have seen throughout the pandemic,” Alberta Health Services President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu said during a press conference on Thursday.

“I cannot stress enough how serious the situation is in our hospitals. I promise you that we will continue to do that all that we can to provide the care to Albertans. I also cannot stress enough that we need your help. Please get immunized.”