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鈥淲e have prepared as much as we can and whatever comes our way, I feel we are ready for it,鈥� said Lorna Chisholm, site and seniors manager for Seton Healthcare Centre.
Jasper鈥檚 hospital has been getting ready in case there is a surge of COVID-19 patients. Non-essential services have been limited, a skeleton-staff is working, and personal protective equipment like masks and gloves are well stocked, Chisholm told council this week.
鈥淲e are trying to reduce traffic [in the hospital] given we want to keep the public safe,鈥� said Chisholm.
鈥淏ut don鈥檛 feel like you can鈥檛 access emergency services - you certainly can.鈥�
Seton still has full emergency services and if you need emergency or serious bloodwork or X-rays you can still be seen.
Every day, healthcare workers are testing Jasperites for COVID-19 in a curbside swabbing area in the parking lot of the hospital.
And Chisholm, who is also Alberta Health Services鈥� North Zone rural clinical education lead and a registered nurse, said public health staff are comfortable they can meet the demand of the swabbing.
鈥淲e have the capacity to deal with it this way,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd the more people we test the more accurate a picture we get.鈥�
Surge planning is also in place in the hospital. There are three levels the hospital can cope with and if there is more of a surge 鈥渢here are options鈥� for an alternative treatment centre, although Chisholm said she hopes that won鈥檛 happen.
She has been working closely with the Evergreens Foundation to help protect seniors in Jasper, particularly those in congregate living.
鈥淲e have been fortunate so far that we have been able to protect our seniors and we are fortunate that families and residents have been understanding of the need to do this,鈥� said Chisholm.
鈥淲e are very hopeful we can continue to keep seniors safe.鈥�
Chisholm also took time to thank the community in Jasper for all their support of healthcare workers - hanging artwork in windows and outside the hospital and making headbands for medical masks worn all day.
鈥淲e have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the community,鈥� said Chisholm. 鈥淥ur physicians have done an incredible job working with us to make sure we have everything in place and we will be ready for whatever comes our way over the next few weeks.
鈥淭his is not a sprint, it is a marathon and we are in this for a long while - but we feel we are prepared and are grateful for all the support.鈥�
Stay at home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.
Alberta Health Services: 811
Cottage Medical Clinic: (780) 852-4885
Seton Healthcare Centre: (780) 852-3344
