The NDP’s official Opposition Critic for Seniors calls the recent outbreak of COVID-19 at Extendicare Preston in Saskatoon both predictable and preventable. Matt Love also says the outbreak has claimed the lives of at least three residents at the facility located on Preston Avenue across from Market Mall.
Love also claims that the outbreak shouldn’t have come as a surprise to the government which has received numerous reports chronicling unacceptable and dangerous conditions at Extendicare Preston dating back to 2013.
Love wants to see the Saskatchewan Health Authority intervene immediately and take over management of the facility so it doesn’t see the same outcomes as Extendicare Parkside in Regina. At least 40 people have died at that facility since an outbreak was declared in November.
NDP provided data regarding Saskatoon Extendicare
2013 CEO TOUR REPORT
● “Staffing levels are inadequate”
● Infrequent baths: “There is a risk of loss of skin integrity and general hygienic concerns”
● “82 bed facility, 16 beds are in a four bedroom ward, only 20 are single rooms.”
● Notice staff shortages and often have to wait up to 30 mins after they ring their call bell. Continent residents have soiled themselves because of it.”
● “Rooms are so small that there is no room for an easy chair, so residents have to sit in their wheelchairs all day.”
● “Building is not appropriate – frustration with sharing rooms, lack of space is seen as an issue”
2014 CEO TOUR REPORT
● “Staffing levels are inadequate to meet the needs of residents due to their increased level of acuity”
● “Some residents moan all day long. Which is disruptive to other residents in the two and four bedroom wards”
● “Initiate discussions of turning 4 bed rooms into 2 beds rooms”
● “TBD – Staffing levels are main issue”
2015 CEO TOUR REPORT
● “The infrastructure of this home is a concern”
● “they believe their care is being compromised due to low staffing levels”
● “We will work with Extendicare to repurpose the four-bed rooms to improve experience for residents and family.”
2016 CEO TOUR REPORT
● “SHR VP of Integrated Health Services and I/CEO met with Extendicare management in March 2016 and the decision was made to NOT repurpose these rooms at this time due to financial constraints.”
● “Extendicare was built over 50 years ago and the rooms are small and all, except 20, are shared – with every resident sharing a bathroom.”
● “Extendicare is very interested in repurposing the existing four 4-bed rooms into ‘Urgent Assessment and Care’ beds. Due to financial constraints, this is not feasible at this time.”
● “As the complexity and needs of residents continues to increase, it is difficult to manage with existing staffing ratios. Recruitment and retention of care staff continues to be challenging.”
2017 CEO TOUR REPORT
● There are an increasing number of residents requiring multifaceted care. Complexity of care needs continue to rise for individual residents impacting staff ability to respond to effectively to address all residents care needs in the home.
● An aging workforce has resulted in a decline in physical health and strength to manage the increasing needs of the residents
2018 CEO TOUR REPORT
● “Building is 1967 construction, so there are many accessibility challenges, no private spaces and congestion.”
● “Receives a large number of admissions as first available bed (due to number of 2-bed and 4-bed rooms).”
● “Maintaining casual relief staff is challenging”
2019 CEO TOUR REPORT
● ”The physical layout of the building, with many of the rooms being four bed-rooms, creates challenges for residents when they are sharing with several people.”
● Staffing has been an issue for them, especially with short call.
● “There has been some concern from families regarding the response times to call bells. They are investigating these concerns individually.”
