Surgeries gradually resuming in the Laurentians

As the epidemiological situation in the region has greatly improved in recent weeks, the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) des Laurentides is gradually increasing surgical procedures to shorten waiting lists and wait times.

Reducing operating rooms activities during the fifth wave of the pandemic was necessary to respond more massively to COVID-19-related needs while the region was at the highest Alert Level 4. The reduced number of persons needing COVID-19-related care and the return to Alert Level 3 in the Laurentians now make it possible to gradually increase surgical procedures.

 

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The activity rate for all operating theatres in the region was at 61% in early January. The CISSS des Laurentides is now aiming to reach am 81% activity rate by mid-February. As for endoscopic examinations, procedures which had been 50% reduced during the fifth wave will 100% resume in the coming days.

For Ms. Rosemonde Landry, President and Executive Director of the CISSS des Laurentides, the resumption of surgical procedures is very good news. “I am pleased that we were able to maintain urgent surgical procedures at all times during the pandemic for people who needed them. I want to thank our staff and the doctors who work in our operating theatres. They found a way to stay the course despite the reduced activities. We are now going to gradually increase procedures so that people waiting for surgery can be treated as soon as possible,” she said.

Call for patient cooperation

Although the pressure on the clinical teams to meet COVID-19-related care needs has decreased, the general rate of care continues at a sustained pace in order to reduce wait times. The CISSS des Laurentides is calling on the public’s cooperation in honouring examination and appointment dates as scheduled to avoid depriving others on waiting lists.

“Every prevention measure is in place to ensure the safety of people coming to our facilities for an operation and our teams are ready to provide the best care possible to our patients according to the highest standards of quality”, said Ms. Landry.