About 14 per cent of Ontario hospitals reporting less than a week supply of epidural catheters: Ontario Health
Approximately 14 per cent of hospitals in Ontario are reporting they have less than a week’s worth of epidural catheters in stock, according to an Ontario Health memo sent to hospital chief executive officers on Friday.
“Over the past two weeks, Ontario Health has worked with a small number of hospitals that have had urgent supply concerns,” Dr. Chris Simpson, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Ontario Health, wrote in a memo on Friday obtained by CTV News Toronto.
“In all cases, the supply shortages were resolved via either sharing between hospitals or escalating requests with suppliers.”
An epidural catheter, or tube, is used to administer pain medication typically during childbirth.
An ongoing global shortage of the devices hit Canada in late July, initially impacting western provinces more severely, according to the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society. However, the supply crunch has reached the local front with Ontario hospitals now reporting shortages.
The Ontario Health memo contained a provincial inventory survey that took place on Aug. 10.
In it, Simpson stated that there is currently an “adequate epidural catheter supply” at a provincial level while acknowledging that there is “variability” when it comes to supply across hospitals along with uncertainty as to when the issues will be resolved.
Teleflex, a surgical and medical instrument manufacturer, is expecting their supply shortage to begin resolving in mid-to-late-September.
“Existing customers should be seeing weekly allocation and shipments, but at lower than usual supply,” the memo reads.
The company is reporting that two of their stock keeping units are currently impacted by longer than average lead times for their epidural catheters. To obtain more stock, Teleflex is relocating existing and future supply from Europe.
Meanwhile, Canadian Hospital Specialties, another supplier, is not experiencing “significant” shortages and has increased production to take on new customers who are experiencing shortages from other suppliers.
If and when the situation worsens, Ontario Health says they are developing clinical guidance to manage epidurals during supply shortages.
In the meantime, the memo includes key messages health-care workers can discuss with patients seeking information. Ontario Health suggests reassuring patients that there is currently enough supply of epidurals and to introduce the idea of alternate pain control methods if the shortage has the potential to affect the hospital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.