Leaked memo reveals ER nurse worked while symptomatic for COVID-19; several protocols broken at Quebec hospital
Lakeshore Hospital on Montreal's West Island is dealing with the fallout after an unvaccinated nurse worked while positive with COVID-19. Protocols were also broken, leading to "multiple exposures" over several days, according to a memo obtained by CTV News.
The memo from the Montreal West Island Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS-OIM) reports unvaccinated COVID-19 positive patients spent several hours in the ER waiting room and on stretchers from Aug. 20 to 26.
The memo also states an unvaccinated staff member worked “while contagious and symptomatic.”
CIUSSS public relations spokesperson Hélène Bergeron-Gamache said the nurse was undergoing COVID-19 screening three times a week, and has been removed from the unit.
"A user she has been in contact with has developed symptoms," she added. "At this time, he tested negative as did all staff and patients with whom the nurse had contact."
Several protocol breaches were noted, according to the memo, “leading to multiple exposures of varying durations in several areas of the ER.”
"Screening of [COVID-19-positive patients] indicated a delta variant," it read. "Users exposed to the emergency department and admitted to the care units were screened this morning."
One deficiency Bergeron-Gamache noted was with regards to wearing PPE.
"Reminders to this effect were sent to all staff and COVID agents were deployed to the hospital to ensure compliance with the wearing of PPE and good infection prevention and control practices," she said. "The Public Health Unit is also on site to provide support and recommendations."
The CIUSSS-OIM said it has issued a high alert level for the hospital's ER.
"This alert level allows us to increase infection prevention and control measures and limit the risk of spreading COVID-19 among patients and staff," said Bergeron-Gamache.
Health Minister Christian Dube was asked about Lakeshore Tuesday at a news conference.
"It's always difficult to talk about the specific cases," said Dube. "I know them very well and been there a few times. Nobody did this on purpose, but we know that there was a case where an employee was not vaccinated. We don't know what is the chain of events yet."
Dube said it is not yet known whether the staff member was contaminated by a patient or vice versa.
He said the situation shows the need for mandatory vaccinations for health-care workers.
"Not only for the patient but for themselves," said Dube. "This is, unfortunately, a case that serves as an example that our employees should be vaccinated."
Bergeron-Gamache said the vaccination rate for the CIUSSS-OIM is 89 per cent for a first dose and that 84 per cent of its staff are double-vaxxed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
WATCH LIVE Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
An Iceland volcano starts erupting again, spewing lava into the sky
A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Wednesday for the fifth time since December, spewing red streams of lava in the latest display of nature’s power and triggering the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
'Are you driving?' U.S. man with suspended licence shows up on court Zoom call while behind the wheel
A Michigan man with a suspended driver's licence didn't appear to have thought through a recent court appearance made on video, joining the Zoom call while driving.