Over 1,000 potential service disruptions were averted this summer, ensuring continued access to health services for Quebec residents, as reported by Santé Québec.
In its recent summer report, Santé Québec revealed that out of 1,339 anticipated service disruptions recorded between May 15 and Sept. 15, the majority, totaling 1,029 incidents, were successfully prevented. The agency noted that only 310 actual service interruptions occurred throughout the health network during this period.
Véronique Wilson, Associate Director General of Network Coordination and Operations Support at Santé Québec, expressed satisfaction with the overall situation this summer but highlighted the ongoing need for improvement to enhance predictability and ensure seamless access to healthcare services regardless of any disruptions that may arise.
Emphasizing the importance of mitigating temporary service closures, Maryse Poupart, Vice-President of Health and Social Services Coordination at Santé Québec, underscored the collaborative efforts made to address any disruptions that did occur.
When faced with potential service interruptions, institutions prioritized internal solutions to resolve around 80% of issues. If internal measures proved insufficient, additional support was sought from the public emergency team, with contingency plans in place to manage any disruptions effectively.
In cases where patient transfers were necessary, such as obstetrics patients relocated between hospitals, Santé Québec strived to ensure quality and safe services, even in regions where facilities were geographically distant.
To enhance predictability and response capabilities, Santé Québec introduced a new real-time reporting tool this summer, enabling establishments to proactively notify the agency of any impending service challenges. This tool aims to provide a comprehensive overview of service disruptions and facilitate targeted interventions to preemptively address issues.
Moreover, the deployment of a flying team comprising orderlies and nurses to various regions proved instrumental in preventing service closures, particularly in areas like Outaouais, Côte-Nord, and Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
