two from new brunswick Health Officials are reducing the amount of asymptomatic COVID testing for many patients, including admissions and surgeries.
Horizon Health Network and Vitalite Health Both the networks said that asymptomatic patients who are admitted will no longer be tested COVID-19 As part of a change in its testing algorithm.
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An internal memo from Horizon Health Network, obtained by Global News, confirmed those changes, attributing the reason that “morbidity and mortality rates with Omicron are much lower than with earlier variants, and due to the high level of hybridization within our province.” is immune.”
It also states that pre-operative screening and admission screening of asymptomatic patients requires higher use of resources, including additional labour, PPE, testing and laboratory work.
Health authorities will continue to test any pre-op patients with symptoms or who are at high risk of recent COVID-19 exposure, and screening is ongoing for patients, visitors and designated support persons.
“These updated measures will improve surgical flow and enhance the patient experience by ensuring all patients who need surgery are able to undergo their procedure as quickly as possible, while using additional personal protective equipment as required reduce the time and resources needed for all staff (PPE), and the additional resources needed for testing and laboratory work,” according to an emailed statement by Marita McMillan, Horizon’s lead for infection, prevention and control.
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McMillan also noted that New Brunswick has a high rate of vaccinations, but Health Canada shows New Brunswick “is the third lowest for vaccinations in the past six months, completed primary doses or received booster doses.” It also has the lowest rate among the Atlantic provinces, at only 19.4 percent.
About 54.6 percent of the population has had a booster dose, while only 29.6 percent have a second dose, according to Covidwatch data provided by the province.
Vitalite Health Network said in early January that it was no longer routinely testing asymptomatic patients.
“Screening asymptomatic patients before surgery (pre-op) is also no longer effective, unless patients are admitted to the oncology or intensive care unit,” said Dr. Natalie Bainville with Vitalite.
Transfers, which may come from another facility, also will no longer be screened — unless the patient is coming from a unit with a COVID-19 outbreak.
The two health officials are working together, according to the statements, and are “working with the health department to implement appropriate protective measures based on the current situation to ensure the safety of patients and health care workers while limiting the spread of the virus.” measures can be taken.” ,
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In its most recent Covidwatch report, the province said 263 new cases were PCR-confirmed in the week from January 22-28.
Twelve people were hospitalized for complications with the virus, including one in intensive care. There were also eight deaths linked to COVID-19, according to the province’s Covidwatch report, but none of those deaths were recorded in the week of January 22–28.
According to Public Health, the number of confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths is declining.
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