Headwaters hospital pauses non-emergent procedures

January 13, 2022 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Headwaters Hospital had once again paused all non-emergent surgeries and procedures as well as all non-urgent diagnostic imaging and ambulatory clinical activity.

The local hospital issued a public notice on Jan. 7 from president and CEO, Kim Delahunt, chief of staff and vice president of medical affairs, Dr. Peter Cino, and chief of surgery, Dr. Grace Wang, noting the measures are in response to the province’s directive, effective Jan.5.

“This direction from the provincial government is in response to the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant,” they wrote in the public notice.

The pause, they said, is to preserve the hospital’s bed capacity and health
human resources.

“It is our priority to ensure we have appropriate staffing levels so that we can continue to provide the best care possible for our community.”

While non-emergent surgeries, procedures, and diagnostic imaging has paused, the hospital said emergent and urgent surgeries such as cancer care will continue. Urgent Ambulatory Care Clinics including fracture and plastic clinics, dialysis, oncology, and urgent stress testing will also remain open while telemedicine, diabetes, and infusions operate at a reduced capacity for urgent cases only.

Headwaters Hospital’s emergency department will remain open 24/7 to see patients requiring urgent care. All other clinics will be closed.

Patients who have upcoming surgeries and appointments that will be postponed will be contacted by their specialist’s office or a member of Headwater’s
registration team.

“Thank you to the dedicated team of professionals at Headwaters for once again rising to the challenges of this pandemic,” said Delahunt, Cino, and Wang. “Please make sure you are taking full precautions to protect yourself as we navigate this next wave.”