By Chad Klassen

RIH returns to ‘normal’ after flu causes more overcrowding

Feb 6, 2017 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — A week after Royal Inland Hospital experienced well over-capacity, with more patients than beds available, it appears everything is back to normal. 

Medical Services Director Kris Kristjanson says all 254 beds were occupied, and the hospital had to enact special measures to deal with the surge. But he says it’s not nearly as busy this week.

“The congestion at the hospital is better today than it was last week,” says Kristjanson. “Last week was certainly a very busy week at the hospital. That’s not uncommon at this time of the year. We call it ‘winter surge.’ During the period from about Decemeber to March, we have patients at the hospital more frequently for influenza.”

More flu cases has caused most of the winter surge, and the hospital has been working to ensure every patient is cared for, even using Ponderosa next door as a place for overflow. 

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“We open up additional overflow areas of the hospital to accomodate the added admissions,” notes Kristjanson. “We call in additional staff to provide care in those areas. We work with our community partners to see if we can discharge people home safely with added support.”

Surgeries were cancelled last week with the influenza creating a lack of beds, but surgeries are now back on schedule.