TWO HILLS – The Emergency Department (ED) at Two Hills Health Centre is experiencing staffing challenges in laboratory and diagnostic imaging (DI) services and services will be disrupted at the ED.
The ED will close from 8 a.m. on Dec. 23 until 8 a.m. on Dec. 27.
Then, from Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. until Jan. 2 at 8 a.m.
When the ED reopens on Jan. 2, it will temporarily operate on reduced hours until staffing levels go back to normal. Starting Jan. 2, the ED will only be open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. The ED will be closed on the weekends.
Those needing lab and DI services can go to other facilities, "including those in Vegreville or St. Paul," according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
No laboratory and DI services appointments
While lab and DI services will operate on reduced hours when the ED reopens, community appointments for lab and DI services will be unavailable until additional staff is secured.
AHS says recruitment for laboratory and DI staff continues. When positions are filled, community appointments will open again.
"Nursing staff will remain in the ED during the temporary closures to triage and assess any patients presenting to the department. Patients will be re-directed to other care options appropriate to their needs, including to other EDs as needed, including St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville, St. Therese Hospital in St. Paul, the Viking Health Centre, or Vermilion Health Centre," according to information from AHS.
If needed, EMS will also be available to transport patients.
AHS acknowledged lab testing and DI services are vital to patient diagnosis and treatment, and while limited testing can still be done at a patient's bedside, "the decision to temporarily close the ED has been made in the interest of patient safety following consultation with medical staff."
