Prince Edward Island hospital warns of reduced access to epidurals due to labor shortages – National
A hospital in Prince Edward Island is warning patients that some epidural services may not be available until the end of next week.
The province says in a news release that Prince County Hospital in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, has only one anesthesiologist, who may not be available between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. h until September 2.
The hospital’s four anesthetist positions are vacant, leaving it dependent on doctors from nearby facilities.
Dr. Hani Farag, chief of obstetrics at Prince County Hospital, says the facility offers a variety of pain management options other than epidurals.
The statement says the reduction is unrelated to the current nationwide epidural supply issue.
A shortage of epidural tubes used to administer pain medication is affecting many parts of Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
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