MEDIA RELEASE
Kingston, ON – March 18, 2020 – Today, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) began to carefully reduce the number of elective surgeries, non-emergency procedures and clinic visits that it provides, in order to maximize resources and prioritize services as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. These measures will also help KHSC be ready to respond to any scenario, and to protect the health of staff and patients.
“It is important that we protect the acute and emergency care we provide for our southeastern Ontario region,” says Dr. David Pichora, KHSC president and CEO. “I want to assure people that emergency care for traumas, strokes and heart attacks, and time-sensitive care for disease like certain cancers and for those who go into labour will continue to be provided.”
Ramping down elective surgeries and procedures will also help KHSC preserve and develop capacity – with regards to space, supplies, equipment and personnel – to respond to confirmed cases of COVID-19 needing hospital care.
Patients whose surgeries, procedures and clinic visits need to be delayed will be notified by phone by their surgeon’s or specialist’s office. Patients who have questions or concerns about their care should contact a member of their care team directly.
“We understand the stress and worry this will cause for many of our patients and families, and we thank everyone for their patience and support as we respond to this rapidly evolving pandemic,” says Dr. Pichora. “We have caring and trained people on the front lines, and as soon as we can get ahead of the spread of this virus and slow it down, we’ll be progressively resuming regular operations.”
