Patients that should be in ICU being taken care of in regular wards

Over the last two weeks, approximately 30 to 40 patients that normally would be in an intensive care unit are receiving care on wards outside an ICU. This is according to a news release from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Saskatchewan is setting records for the number of people in ICUs and hospitals. This week, the province started sending patients to Ontario for care in an effort to alleviate some of the pressure here at home. The health authority says over the last 10 days, the number of individuals in ICU has ranged from 110 to 118. "This has been made possible by surging beyond capacity with beds and staff utilized from other areas of patient care," according to the media release dated October 18, 2021.

The 30-40 patients being cared for on wards are receiving high flow oxygen and are at high risk of needing more extensive care in an ICU setting. Normally, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has 79 ICU beds.

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