KDH Staff Go Above & Beyond Amidst Summer Surge

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) managed to maintain local care despite operating above capacity for more than two months during the summer. At its peak, the hospital reached 139% capacity, yet patients reported that the increased demand was hardly noticeable.

This seamless patient experience was attributed to the extraordinary efforts of hospital staff who voluntarily picked up extra shifts and rearranged their schedules. Dr. Mannpreet Phambri-Komal, chief of family medicine, highlighted the significantly longer days faced by everyone to ensure continuous care.

To further manage the surge, KDH had previously repurposed 12 long-term care beds for acute-care patients. Amy Scott, team leader in the emergency department, praised the cross-departmental collaboration that preserved the quality of care. Katie Hogue, vice-president of clinical services, emphasized the importance of this local capacity in preventing patient transfers and ensuring emergency services remain accessible.

As cold and flu season approaches, KDH is preparing for potential future surges. While staff resilience has been key, the hospital administration stresses that sustainable, permanent funding is essential for long-term growth and service expansion. Currently, the hospital is operating at approximately 100% capacity.