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PMH forced to restrict services as cases surge

Princess Margaret Hospital. (File photo)

Princess Margaret Hospital. (File photo)

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital has suspended all elective surgeries and only emergency cases are being allowed in response to an influx of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

In a press statement yesterday, the Public Hospitals Authority said the measures were implemented to manage PMH’s already strained services as a result of the surge in virus cases.

Ministry of Health officials said there were 95 new cases Tuesday and 92 people are in the hospital receiving treatment with COVID-19 related illnesses.

The statement said: “Hospital administration at the Princess Margaret Hospital today announced the implementation of measures to manage the institution’s already strained services as a result of a surge in COVID-19 cases presenting at the Emergency Department.

“The new measures are designed to reduce the spread of the virus among patients and staff, and to account for an increase in the number of persons having to be admitted, the overwhelming majority of whom are unvaccinated.

“The public is advised that effective immediately the Emergency Department is only accepting emergency cases. In the event of a medical emergency please call National Emergency Medical Services dispatchers at 919 or contact the PMH Emergency Department at 326-7014. Persons in need of care for non-medical emergencies should visit their doctor’s office or community.”

The statement said “all elective surgeries have been suspended” as well as out-patient lab services.

Officials said in-person appointments at specialty clinics and other out-patient services have been suspended with the exception of: emergency maternity cases; oncology services by appointment only; dialysis services, by appointment only; obstetrics high risk clinic, by appointment; radiology & diagnostic services, by appointment or emergency cases only; orthopedic services – fracture and hand by appointment or emergency cases only; out-patient rehabilitation services, by appointment only; PMH Blood Bank, by appointment only or off-site blood drive.

Emergency out-patient laboratory services will resume at Agape Clinic on Monday, July 26, 2021.

There is also an urgent appeal for all blood types as there is a critical shortage at this time. To donate blood, email the PMH Blood Bank at pmhbloodbank@gmail.com to register for an appointment or call 502-7822 or 322-8077.

PMH also said specialty clinics will operate virtually by appointment only, allowing for consultations. Patients needing to reschedule in-person clinic appointments should contact the PMH appointment scheduling unit. E-mail a copy of the referral to appointments@pmh.phabahamas.org, or send a clear photo of the referral form to 808-9972 via WhatsApp or SMS. Telephone calls will not be answered.

PMH Agape Clinic (Family Medicine Clinic) at 4th Terrace will operate at reduced hours from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, mainly by appointment. Limited walk-in patients will be accommodated.

The Eye Care Centre on Soldier Road will operate from 8am to 4pm.

The PMH prescription refill programme allows prescriptions that are submitted via the refill programme to be collected directly from the hospital’s front desk once confirmation of prescription is received from the pharmacy.

Persons requiring prescription refills for chronic medications should send a message with the Rx number and the MRN (which can be found on the medication label) to 424-3642 via WhatsApp. Do not submit a photo of the prescription label.

To donate blood, please email the PMH Blood Bank at pmhbloodbank@gmail.com to register for an appointment or call 502-7822 or 322-8077.

PHA reminded the public that patient visitation remains suspended. Intensive Care (ICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) visitation will take place on a case-by-case basis as determined by clinicians.

PMH has implemented a drop off system for patients. Items may be dropped off at the main entrance of the hospital daily from noon to 1pm and from 6pm to 8pm. All items must be packaged in a secure bag, clearly labeled with the patient’s name, and designated ward. Only one bag per patient is allowed per drop off. Items dropped off must comply with the hospital’s policies regarding items permitted in the hospital.

Comments

carltonr61 3 years, 5 months ago

Unless Covid made the regular flu, pneumonia and cold extinct this weather is assisting in seasonal respiratory illnesses. But all deaths are Covid and all head cold and sinusitis are Covid. Covid has become political to keep the Fascist dictator whipping us.

Sickened 3 years, 5 months ago

I have to mostly agree with that. All other illnesses seem to be extinct now.

Bobsyeruncle 3 years, 5 months ago

My wife and I both have had pretty bad head colds & throat irritation for about a week. Started last week with mild symptoms but got progressively worse. Both tested negative for Covid & Strep last week. Just got tested again yesterday and awaiting results.

ThisIsOurs 3 years, 5 months ago

well stop commenting we might catch it

JokeyJack 3 years, 5 months ago

It has long been said that "Man cannot cure the common cold." It was cured in March of 2020.

Nobody can argue with these new medical measures, at least I cannot. I don't see anything wrong with people dying from heart attacks etc., as long as they don't die from Covid they will be just fine.

proudloudandfnm 3 years, 5 months ago

To keep all fascist dictators in every country on earth you mean?

Dumb ass comment man. Muddos...

tribanon 3 years, 5 months ago

It certainly would seem the sinister and wickedly evil global oligarchists have finally figured out the ideal means by which to control the global populace while at the same time tapping into a hoard of new found wealth for themselves.

For those who have been vaccinated, welcome to the newly created Vaccine Dependent Global Society and all it has to offer you if you can afford the annual jabs you will need to stay alive and be fully controlled for the rest of your life.

As for the rest of us, give us liberty or give us death.

Entrepreneur 3 years, 5 months ago

How bad is Delta? Do you all notice any difference? or is this just more of the same? Very difficult to believe what one reads in the US Media now...

JokeyJack 3 years, 5 months ago

LOCKDOWNS LOCKDOWNS - DEATH DEATH DEATH - LOCKDOWNS LOCKDOWNS - DEATH DEATH DEATH

ThisIsOurs 3 years, 5 months ago

how bad is it? We went from cases going down to 90 reported on one day not to mention 15 deaths in one week

carltonr61 3 years, 5 months ago

Bahamas news stations just revealed that our sample of virus is not Delta. They don't know when the sample was sent away.

ThisIsOurs 3 years, 5 months ago

If you remember back in March or April Renward Wells made an effusive pronouncement that there was NO evidence that we had ANY COVID variants in country. A week or so later, the CDC put out a warning that Americans should avoid the Bahamas because there were likely COVID variants here.

We can lie to ourselves as much as we want. Our eyes and the hospital records tell us whats really happening.

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