A leaked internal Alberta Health Services document, obtained by the Wildrose Alliance Party, details several problems in our province's health care system. At one point, the document describes a "sorry, we are full" approach, closing doors to care in some programs when resources are short, which results in backlogs at hospital ERs.
The document describes overcrowded conditions as an "access block", which is defined as: "the inability to provide timely inpatient care."
The documents also states: Access block, rather than being a problem has become a solution for capacity and efficiency shortfalls. Access block is difficult to eliminate because it is a primary coping strategy for many programs."
"Our entire system, the way it is run, is effectively shutting out patients when they need care the most," said Rob Anderson with the Wildrose Alliance Party.
The documents also mention some patient deaths due to waiting too long.
"Access block, particularly the inability to access timely initial resuscitation, diagnosis and stabilization, causes many adverse outcomes, including patient deaths."
When asked about the problem of doors to programs being closed whey they're too full, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky responded: "…there are over capacity protocols that have to be followed when beds in emergency might be full."
Liberal MLA Kevin Taft says he feels reassured that Alberta Health Services is trying to address some of the problems, after reading the documents.
"Someone in the system is trying to solve the problems and that is what we want Alberta Health Services to do," he said.
The province says there is a plan in place, which includes a 5-year funding model for health, as well as the promise that more beds will continue to open.
Alberta health Services' CEO and President Dr. Stephen Duckett has invited 93 people from different areas of health care to participate in a think-tank discussion Friday that will address health care concerns.
With files from Kevin Armstrong
