Critical shortage of nurses at Montreal Children’s NICU leads to bed closures

WATCH ABOVE: There is a critical shortage of nurses at the neonatal intensive care unit at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, forcing the closure of several beds.

MONTREAL – There is a critical shortage of nurses at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, forcing the closure of several beds.

Since moving to the Glen Site super hospital, the MUHC has said it is looking to hire additional nurses to populate the ward.

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“This aggressive recruitment initiative has resulted in the posting of more than 20 nursing positions in the NICU,” wrote spokesperson Pamela Toman in an e-mail.

“We believe it will be completed by mid-fall.”

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The hospital has reduced the number of NICU beds from 52 to 45 until it can add more nurses who are trained in specific, clinical services.

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Generally, nurse to patient ratios vary between one nurse for two or three babies, depending on the children’s medical needs.

“The most critical patients are always, and will continue to be, offered one to one care,” said Toman, adding that this is why several beds had to be closed.

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“Once the recruitment period is concluded, we will reopen the additional beds to operate at our total of 52 NICU beds,” said Toman.

Representatives from the hospital insist that care for the infants is of utmost importance and though “the hiring, training and orientation of these new nurses will require the reorganization of work in the neonatology program, priority is given to care at the bedside.”