Canada's inadequate health care system can't handle mass infections

[Anonymous]

Decades before COVID-19 struck, Canadians in every province and territory were suffering, and some dying, on ever-lengthening wait lists. In an already overloaded system, with virtually zero spare capacity, treating burgeoning numbers of COVID-19 patients will necessitate further delay for other patients with such time-critical afflictions as cancer. And that's already happening. Over the past few days, two Ontario women had their cancer surgery operations cancelled so hospitals can free up capacity for COVID-19 patients.



Canada's hospital capacity has been in steady decline. The latest available statistics comparing 24 developed countries show that in 2017 Canada ranked dead last in hospital beds per capita at just 2.5 per thousand. Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, France, Slovakia, Belgium and Latvia all had more than twice that number.



The U.S. was only marginally better at 2.8 per cent, but that's where the similarity ends. The occupancy level of Canada's hospital beds was 92 per cent. Because logistics and staffing make 100 per cent utilization impossible that effectively means zero unused capacity. By contrast, hospital bed occupancy in the U.S. was just 64 per cent. And for intensive care unit (ICU) critical care beds, which are crucial for COVID-19 treatment, the U.S. ranked first of the 24 countries with 35 per thousand population. Canada has only 12 per thousand population, the same number as Italy, which has been overwhelmed by the crisis. With infections rising each day, Canadian doctors face the daunting prospect of deciding who will be treated and who will not. Those life-and-death decisions must be made, not only for patients with COVID-19, but for other seriously ill patients who are displaced.



An October 2019 Fraser Institute report on health care in 28 countries found that Canada ranked second highest in per capita spending, but last in access to treatment.

https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/gwyn-morgan-after-this-crisis-is-behind-us-we-must-fix-our-dangerous-health-care-system?fbclid=IwAR2zXUeJxUpfvydRXoA2jd39luaOuENlNFt952M2Y0XrGMJl8jDtyl7KWjQ">https://business.financialpost.com/opin ... jDtyl7KWjQ">https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/gwyn-morgan-after-this-crisis-is-behind-us-we-must-fix-our-dangerous-health-care-system?fbclid=IwAR2zXUeJxUpfvydRXoA2jd39luaOuENlNFt952M2Y0XrGMJl8jDtyl7KWjQ



If we get hundreds of thousands of infections, and in my province that's a distinct possiblility, we are screwed.

[Anonymous]

Than we must follow social distancing rules.

[Gaon]

It seems we have plateaued here in British Columbia.

[Anonymous]

We have a total lockdown here in Winnipeg on everything except the most essential of services. We have about 200 cases. We would be up the creek if we had numbers like Quebec or the states.

[cc]

It seems we have plateaued here in British Columbia.

Was just about to post that



29 new confirmed cases  ... somewhat less than previous days ... on the downside of the curve, I hope so



If it continues we will know for sure

[Anonymous]

It seems we have plateaued here in British Columbia.

Was just about to post that



29 new confirmed cases  ... somewhat less than previous days ... on the downside of the curve, I hope so



If it continues we will know for sure

According to our health minister we are about three weeks away from that yet.

[cc]

I'm not yet sure we are there .. just a suggestion so far



Next cpl of days will show us if it's true



Washington State is seeing a noticeable slowdown

[Vancouver]

Than we must follow social distancing rules.

It's working a little. I fear Summer. So many people out at trout lake today. I can almost bet that in the Summer people will not stay home.

[Anonymous]

I like what I'm seeing in BC, but we will see in the next week if this is a trend or not. Ontario is far from that yet.

[Anonymous]

It makes sense since we have shortages of PPE in this country's hospitals.



Canada looking to disinfect used masks, Tam asks they not be thrown away



OTTAWA -- Canada's public health chief says hospitals should not throw away used masks and other protective equipment because experts are looking to see if they can be disinfected and reused.



Dr. Theresa Tam says protecting health care workers is one of her top priorities in the COVID-19 pandemic.



She says there is work underway looking for the best science that can be used to decontaminate used masks and other equipment.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-looking-to-disinfect-used-masks-tam-asks-they-not-be-thrown-away-1.4883340">https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-lo ... -1.4883340">https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-looking-to-disinfect-used-masks-tam-asks-they-not-be-thrown-away-1.4883340

[Anonymous]

It makes sense since we have shortages of PPE in this country's hospitals.



Canada looking to disinfect used masks, Tam asks they not be thrown away



OTTAWA -- Canada's public health chief says hospitals should not throw away used masks and other protective equipment because experts are looking to see if they can be disinfected and reused.



Dr. Theresa Tam says protecting health care workers is one of her top priorities in the COVID-19 pandemic.



She says there is work underway looking for the best science that can be used to decontaminate used masks and other equipment.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-looking-to-disinfect-used-masks-tam-asks-they-not-be-thrown-away-1.4883340">https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-lo ... -1.4883340">https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-looking-to-disinfect-used-masks-tam-asks-they-not-be-thrown-away-1.4883340

Can they completely disinfect masks? If not it could be a lot of costly mistakes.

[Thiel]

It is a really bad time right now to have any health problems get in an auto accident.

[Anonymous]

Our health care system would implode if we had the numbers the USA is getting.

[Anonymous]

Our health care system would implode if we had the numbers the USA is getting.

That is the unfortunate reality in Canada. Our health care system cannot handle hundreds of thousands of cases.

[Berry Sweet]

I don't believe any country can handle mass infections.