We have the ability to expand up and down based on need.”īecause the system has many employees across multiple states, they can send staff from one area to another if one place is particularly hard-hit. “Some of our hospitals are near capacity, but we can flex capacity. “The fall every year is a busy time for hospitals, so the COVID increases we are seeing are significant,” he said. Still, the COVID-19 cases have stressed some hospitals. While there are some respiratory illnesses circulating right now, influenza numbers have remained low. … This allowed us to feel good about where we are, so we haven’t had to shut down elective surgeries.”įor now, he said, it’s not as bad as what doctors see during a typical flu season.
“We know a lot more about the virus and know how to treat it, and we’re in a good spot in terms of our surge planning. “The beauty for us is we are a lot more prepared,” he said. Chris Weaver, IU Health senior vice president of clinical effectiveness. Personal protective equipment is not in such short supply as it was last spring.Īll that March planning helps now for the IU Health hospitals across the state, said Dr. Over time, doctors have learned more about the disease and better ways to treat it, making them less reliant on ventilators. Many of those falling sick now are younger and less likely to be severely ill. Several factors play into their confidence. Unlike in the spring, when many states including Indiana halted elective surgeries temporarily, hospitals say they are hoping they can keep their doors open while handling any COVID surge. Vincent hospitals officials say that when it comes to COVID, they feel well-positioned to handle what the coming weeks could bring. The situation has not reached this point in other parts of the state, however. Not only do so-called elective procedures often contribute to hospitals' bottom lines, they may be necessary for a patient's care, as in the case of procedures such as biopsies or follow-up procedures for serious health issues, hospital administrators say.
“Right now, I think they’re able to handle where we are now, but moving forward, where things are going to possibly ramp up, we hope that that some of the things we’re doing here locally could relieve a lot of pressure on the hospitals.”Įvery day the hospital’s surgery department staff checks to make sure they haven’t scheduled too many procedures requiring inpatient beds. “We’re trying to get the message out to protect our hospital capacity,” he said. In addition, the health department is limiting attendees at indoor sporting events and increasing messaging around wearing masks and social distancing, said Joe Gries, administrator of the Vanderburgh County Health Department. Hosts of larger gatherings must file an application with the Vanderburgh County Health Department. Vanderburgh County has seen its average number of daily cases rise to more than 200 in the past week.Įarlier this week the Evansville mayor issued an executive order limiting social gatherings to 125 people. Precautions put in place as risks riseĪlthough flu has not started circulating in high numbers, the coronavirus has. “Our volumes are even very high for what we would consider peak,” Huhnke said. One day last week the hospital had to borrow some ventilators from another hospital in town, she said.Īnd all of this has come before the typical peak in winter’s flu season, she said. Recently, however, it has had some occasional “red” days when capacity hits the 90s. Typically the hospital runs at 80% to 85% capacity. Gina Huhnke, medical director for the emergency departments and director of medical affairs.
On the other side of the state, Deaconness Hospital in Evansville also is seeing an increase in COVID cases, said Dr. Now the hospital is weighing how to cancel additional surgeries, with an eye to keep on doing as many procedures as possible, Patterson said. One day last week, the hospital, which is a trauma center, had to go on diversion, turning ambulances away because there were not enough beds or nurses to take additional patients. To ensure that the hospital has sufficient beds, staff have had to reschedule some procedures that would require the patient to stay overnight, Patterson said.