The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa has recently appealed to family doctors in Ottawa to increase their hours of operation. This call to action follows an alarming surge in pediatric flu cases this season. The president of CHEO has made a specific request to alleviate some of the pressure on the pediatric hospital’s emergency room (ER). The ER is already at the breaking point with the volume of patients they are seeing.
As the flu season picks up, doctors are treating an increasing number of young children presenting with flu-like symptoms. The increase in cases is getting harder to ignore. CHEO acknowledges the pressure this places on the state of their ER service. They are leading the way in looking for new solutions to provide better patient care management. The president of CHEO implemented this request to motivate local family doctors. The last piece is that they want these fellow practitioners to be more engaged in addressing this age-old health crisis that we’re facing.
By extending their office hours, family doctors can provide timely care to children suffering from flu-related illnesses, thereby reducing the influx of patients at CHEO’s ER. This special collaborative project between CHEO and Ottawa’s family doctors exemplifies that partnership. Collectively, they share a vision of making sure children receive appropriate treatment, while easing the burden of overcrowding on emergency departments.
CHEO is dedicated to protecting community health, particularly during the height of flu season. That’s why they chose to appeal to family physicians as pediatric cases usually start to spike around this time. CHEO has been urging family practitioners to be flexible with their hours. We hope this policy move leads to a better healthcare response that focuses on protecting the health of our youth first and foremost.
The ER at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario right now is under extreme duress. Staff are overwhelmed trying to keep up with the headaches of surging patient volume. It’s this unique collaboration between CHEO and family doctors that strengthens and protects the healthcare system. Together, they provide a holistic approach that meets both urgent and long-term needs, especially this flu season.
