Hospital coping with code purple
VJH was 22 patients over capacity Thursday.
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It’s becoming the norm around Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
Staff trying to find beds for those who are admitted, but unable to do so because there are no beds available.
Termed “code purple,” a phrase designed to heighten awareness of the over-capacity status at VJH, staff have been dealing with code purples on a steady basis over the last two weeks, averaging between 10-to-15 patients more than the hospital can house.
On Thursday, the hospital was 22 patients over-capacity.
“We try not to use the term code purple anymore, but we’re over-capacity more often than not, I can safely say that,” stated John Cullen, manager of emergency and ambulatory care.
“Code purple sounds like some drastic capacity measure we’re at. It just heightens the awareness.
“It’s more of a reflection of changes in our community and the size of the hospital, and we’re trying to meet those needs.”
Cullen’s emergency room is housing admitted patients, anywhere from “several” to “plenty.” These are people admitted to hospital but there’s no capacity for them on the wards, as the medical and surgical wards are full.
“I don’t want to minimize it but it’s become part of the everyday culture we’re living here,” said Cullen, who stated emphatically that the over-capacity has nothing to do with anything related to the H1N1 flu.
“We have code purples all year round, all four seasons,” he said. “It isn’t because there’s been any major surge. We’re seeing an increase in our numbers, yes, but code purple is not reflective of the fact H1N1 is out there.”
The number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms is on the rise, but Cullen said the interventions they’re getting at the emergency room is minimal.
No swabs are being done and patients may not even be started on medication.
“Whatever we’re doing for them in the ER, a lot if it’s being done sitting in a chair, much like in a doctor’s office or a walk-in clinic,” said Cullen.
“I’m not advising people not to come to the hospital, and I’m not saying do not seek medical attention, but more to the point we’re advising people to recognize what is their comfort with the symptoms their experiencing.
“Containment from home and trying to look after themselves is the take-home message.”
Despite the increase in ER visits, and the steady stream of over-capacity, Cullen said code purples will not change the way patients are treated, saying “it’s not like we’re in a capacity of can’t function.”
Still, it’s difficult for VJH administration to say if they see over-capacity easing in the coming days or week.
“It’s more of a reflection that this community has outgrown the size of the hospital, which is why we’ve got a multi-million dollar project being built in our backyard, and we’re all going to be very excited to see that completion because we’ll see some alleviation at that point,” said Cullen, in reference to the new tower being constructed at VJH.
“Until then, we’ll take it on the chin as it comes.”
The new tower is scheduled to open in mid-2011.
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