Hospital hard hit by COVID-19 to focus on increasing capacity, reducing virus transmission and supporting workforce
Mississauga, On (September 28, 2020) – As the Region of Peel sees an increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases, Trillium Health Partners (THP) has released its plan to address a second wave of the virus. One of the hospitals most impacted by COVID-19 in Ontario, THP is one of three hospitals that have had COVID-19 patients in hospital each and every day since the beginning of the pandemic in March.
“We have been working everyday fighting COVID-19 on the front lines to ensure that patients and staff are safe at THP and that those who require our services are able to receive the high quality care they need,” said Michelle DiEmanuele, President and CEO, THP. “We have also been getting ready for this fall by building on the strong foundation of actions taken during wave one.” Over the past few months, THP has taken a number of key actions that include:
Testing and Assessment Centres – THP has gone from performing on average 450 COVID-19 tests per day at our assessment centres in May, to performing on average 1200 tests per day in September. The hospital is also working with community health care partners to increase testing capacity in Mississauga even further. Access to Safe Hospital Care – o With support from the provincial government, THP has created new capacity to be able to care for a surge in patients if needed including building a Pandemic Response Unit, which will be winterized; as well as additional beds at the Queensway Health Centre and Mississauga Hospital.
The hospital has resumed planned surgical procedures. o THP has hardwired infection prevention and control measures, such as screening people at hospital entrances; and wearing masks throughout the hospital, to name a few. o New IT applications have been built to assist with contact tracing and screening. Transitions to the Community – THP continues to provide virtual care to long-term care (LTC) partners to ensure appropriate access to specialist services that prevent hospital admissions. Safe and Supported Workforce – THP has invested in the best infection prevention and control practices, advice, guidance and training to support frontline workers. The hospital has also continued to hire and train new staff to ensure it has the appropriate workforce ready when needed. “At its core, our plan supports increased capacity, reducing the spread of the virus, business continuity and stability, and a workforce that is strong and skilled,” said DiEmanuele.
“We will also continue to work closely with long-term care, public health and our schools to ensure that we have a coordinated response. We are all in this together”
