Pediatric unit at Kitchener hospital at 150 per cent capacity Tuesday

Grand River Hospital continues to grapple with a rise in young patients dealing with respiratory illness, including influenza and RSV.

The Kitchener hospital's pediatric unit was operating at 150 per cent capacity on Tuesday.

Occupancy in the inpatient children's unit was also at 108 per cent occupancy as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning. 

The hospital said when this happens, a number of strategies may be implemented. 

“At times, this includes transferring patients, including pediatric patients to other hospitals across the region and the province when we do not have the capacity to provide them with the care they need,” read a statement from a hospital spokesperson. 

Patients may also be moved to other units within the hospital.

“In many cases, patients start their care in the hospital's emergency department while they are waiting for an inpatient bed to become available at the hospital they are at, or another hospital.”

Grand River said hospitals across Ontario are facing increased patient volumes and “acuity”, and that collaboration is becoming more and more vital. 

The advice for families is to head to their nearest hospital if their child needs emergency care.

“Be prepared to wait as we are dealing with high patient volumes and we will see the sickest patients first. Families may be transferred to another hospital for care if beds and services aren't available where they are.”