Thread: For the last 11 months, our GIM group has taken care of Covid patients. In Spring 2020, we had one dedicated team, and thanks to strict lockdown and Albertan support, we never had to open another team. By mid June, we were down to single digits covid patients. /1

We continued to look after (lower) numbers of COVID patients in the summer, and as more restrictions loosened and school started, late August and early September began to see steady rise, so we had to open our second COVID inpatient team. /2

And a quick note: each team that opens up requires myself as lead to revamp our work schedule, go into our back up pool, ensure safe night time coverage, and often asking my MD colleagues to work a 3rd or 4th week in a row without a day off /3

Our collective MD workforce was not built with a pandemic to staff in mind./4

By mid November, our two COVID teams were busting at the seems, and within the span of 7 days, we went from 2 full COVID teams to 5 teams, having to get very creative with how we could staff these teams. /5

Equally challenging was night time coverage. How could we give repreive to the daytime teams who were dealing with high volumes of critically ill patients? Grateful for our physician extenders, R5/6s, who, without hesitation, stepped up to help /6

By Christmas, we were operating 6 full COVID teams, on top of the 8 other REGULAR GIM services RAH houses. To be able to staff these many teams required calling on non-GIM MDs- and they responded. In droves. /7

We made it through. It was hard. With many people working far too much just to keep things going. The committment to patient care& collaboration was outstanding, and our medical community came together. /8

So tomorrow, as I go back to the COVID ward, where we have only 1 team left, due to the diligence of Albertans, lockdown restrictions and collective hard work of my team, I feel grateful to be here. We have come full circle. /9

And I hope that as we loosen restrictions tomorrow, Albertans will continue to follow what they have been for these last few months. We managed to get through the 2nd wave, but I don't know how much steam we have left. Let's do this together. #COVID19AB