A COVID-19 outbreak in St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) cardiac wards continues to limit capacity to receive cardiac transfers at both SPH and Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). Cardiac patients requiring transfer should continue to be diverted, when possible, to avoid these two sites until further notice. The activated diversion plan below has been made in partnership with Cardiac Services BC and the affected Health Authorities. The Patient Transfer Network (PTN) has been notified, including charge nurses across NH to help support diversion of cardiac patients from SPH and VGH in discussion with physicians.
NH Cardiac Transfer Process until further notice:
- Physicians are to direct cardiac transfers to Kelowna General Hospital, Royal Jubilee or Royal Columbian hospital if at all possible.
- Physicians are required to call PTN at 1-866-233-2337 when cardiac transfer is required. PTN will coordinate a physician conference as needed with the suggested tertiary cardiac site.
- Because SPH and VGH provide some cardiac services that are not available anywhere else, sending physicians are welcome to communicate with the physicians at these receiving sites to discuss transfer options. In some cases, it will still be necessary to transfer patients to SPH and VGH.
- The NH Cardiac Triage Coordinator will continue to monitor cardiac transfers and work with PTN and the other Health Authorities to re-direct as needed.
The outbreak is being closely monitored at SPH and an update will be provided with direction when the outbreak is declared over.
For any transfer concerns or if escalation is required, please contact the NH Patient Transfer and Flow Office (PTFO) at 250-645-7896. The PTFO is available 24/7 on a daily basis. All other questions or concerns should be directed to:
Northern Health Cardiac Triage Coordinator
Mattie Clark
Email: mattie.clark@northernhealth.ca
Regional Lead, Cardiac Care
Yaser Ahmed
Email: yaser.ahmed@northernhealth.ca
For more information, see the full memo.