ESHC expands capacity with mobile clinic amidst surge in influenza cases

(Source: Erie Shores Healthcare)

Erie Shores Healthcare has brought a mobile clinic on site this weekend to help expand capacity during the current surge in influenza A and pneumonia cases.

The mobile clinic hopes to keep wait times down in the emergency department, providing essential healthcare services on site to compliment existing services.

Speaking on AM800’s Mornings with Mike and Meg, president and CEO Kristen Kennedy said the increased capacity will help keep wait times as low as possible in the ED.

“The nurse practitioner and the registered practical nurse on the unit can be able to see some our lower acuity patients, our [Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale] fours and fives,” she said. “The EMS bring patients in, or walk ins and we can divert them out to the medical mobile unit.”

On Friday, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported that influenza cases are double what they were the same time last year.

“I think it’s a combination of more travel, more gatherings of people coming out of the pandemic, as well as vaccination rates,” Kennedy said.

Those that require emergency care should not hesitate to attend the emergency department as usual.

- with files from AM800’s Dustin Coffman