Last edited Sun Nov 14, 2021, 05:50 AM - Edit history (1)
Twin Cities Pioneer Press, November 13, 2021
(no paywall for this MSN-hosted article)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/insurance/mn-covid-surge-forces-hospitals-to-treat-patients-in-hallways-delay-non-essential-procedures/ar-AAQDQEl?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
Across the state, hospitals are once again delaying non-essential medical procedures, treating emergency room patients in hallways and ambulance bays, and diverting less serious cases to outpatient clinics that have been converted to urgent care centers.
“We have 150 patients hospitalized with COVID right now, and as a result of that, we don’t have anywhere to put our new patients as they come in,” said Dr. Mark Sannes, senior medical director and infectious disease specialist for HealthPartners, which operates eight hospitals across the state, including Regions Hospital in downtown St. Paul. “Normally, they’d be up in an emergency room bed. It’s true across the state. We’re in constant communication with the other health systems … and there are no beds anywhere.”
As the holidays approach, emergency rooms are experiencing deja vu from last November, with at least two big differences. This COVID surge comes at a time when medical centers were already near capacity treating non-COVID patients, many of whom need serious care after deferring treatment in the pandemic. And, after nearly two years of battling coronavirus from the front lines, staff are depleted and exhausted.
... Some Medical Procedures Put On Hold ...
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