OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Cliff Robertson, M.D. and CEO of CHI Health provided an update Tuesday on COVID-19's impact on the health system in regards to capacity, staffing and more.
Dr. Robertson said there are 128 patients in CHI Health's 14 hospitals with eight on ventilators. He added that there’s an increase of 40 patients compared to last week, which indicates there will likely be a gradual increase in people requiring hospitalization.
He mentioned that the CHI system will continue ramping up staffing over the next few months. Traveling nurses are currently working in CHI facilities and additional nurses will come in the next few weeks. CHI is also constantly recruiting new employees.
Dr. Robertson said CHI’s primary focus is on nursing staff and having enough nurses to open up the nearly 400 rooms that are ready to be used for patient care if needed.
Physical space, staffing and supplies are the main components that make up planning for increased hospitalizations that could be ahead, according to Dr. Robertson.
Additionally, Dr. Robertson mentioned that as of now, CHI won’t stop non-urgent procedures, but that could change with time. He also added that managing capacity is something that changes constantly.
“We need to make sure we don’t let our guards down as individuals because when we do that’s when the spread seems to show up,” said Dr. Robertson.
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