ICU Closure in Port Alberni Triggers Patient Transfers to Nanaimo

Concerns are mounting within the medical community regarding the temporary closure of the intensive care unit (ICU) at West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni, which has implications for patient care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). On November 20, 2023, Island Health announced that the three-bed ICU at West Coast General would be closed due to a shortage of specialty-trained registered nurses and physicians. Patients requiring ICU care will be stabilized and transferred to facilities like Nanaimo, which has a 12-bed ICU.

In a press release dated December 8, 2023, the Nanaimo Medical Staff Engagement Society expressed significant concerns about the impact this closure will have on NRGH. Dr. David Forrest, president of the society, stated, “The medical staff at NRGH recognize the critical health care needs of residents of the west coast must be met and are committed to doing what we can to support them and our colleagues in Port Alberni.”

Dr. Forrest highlighted that while NRGH is prepared to assist, the hospital is already facing substantial capacity challenges. He noted that the influx of patients from Port Alberni may exacerbate the situation. “Using Nanaimo’s ICU cannot be a permanent solution,” he emphasized. The physician called for a commitment to bolster tertiary services and the construction of a new patient tower in Nanaimo to accommodate the growing population and regional referral needs, particularly during crises.

According to data from Island Health, between November 20 and December 12, a total of 12 patients requiring ICU care were transferred to Nanaimo. In response to the ongoing situation, Island Health stated that discussions and emergency response meetings are convened daily among clinical and medical leaders from hospitals across Vancouver Island. The focus is on enhancing support for West Coast General Hospital and the Alberni Valley to minimize the need for patient transfers.

Island Health reassured the community that mechanisms are continuously monitored to assess hospital capacity and patient needs. “Well-established protocols and processes are in place to respond and support sites and patients when necessary,” the health authority commented. They acknowledged the concerns raised by the Nanaimo Medical Staff Engagement Society, reiterating their commitment to providing support for the delivery of high-quality and safe patient care.

In addition to its 12 ICU beds, NRGH has recently opened a 12-bed high-acuity unit designed to treat critically ill patients who do not require ICU admission. This expansion aims to alleviate some pressure on the ICU and better serve the community’s health care needs.

As the situation develops, hospital officials and medical staff remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure that patients receive the care they need while addressing the ongoing challenges posed by the closure of the Port Alberni ICU.