Hospitals see spike

As cases of coronavirus surge across the state, it hasn’t been any different locally.

In Auglaize County, there have been 674 new cases in the last two weeks.

Gov. Mike DeWine said on Tuesday that there were 98 deaths reported in the last 24 hours in Ohio, the second-highest number reported since the pandemic began.

“One only needed to look at the behaviors in the community to predict this surge of coronavirus patients. A local disregard for masking and physical distancing is the root cause for the community spread we are experiencing,” said Lana Hinders, Chief Nursing Officer for Joint Township District Memorial Hospital.

JTDMH had its highest admission rate for COVID-19 positive patients last week and it currently has nine patients that have tested positive under care in the facility.

On Nov. 13, the hospital designated an entire unit for COVID- positive admissions which amounted to 18 beds The hospital has a

policy called “admission diversion” when it reaches maximum capacity.

Admission diversion can happen for a number of reasons including capacity or understaffing.

The hospital will not accept any new patients and they will refer them elsewhere for care. JTDMH has done this twice in the last two weeks.

Hinders said that last week was the worst week for COVID-positive admissions, adding that there are currently 34 health care workers that aren’t working because of COVID or exposure.

“Due the community spread, our workforce is at a ‘critical’ level,” Hinders wrote in an email to The Evening Leader. “JTDMH is able to meet staffing needs despite this ‘critical’ level — staffing is discussed daily at our safety huddle and staffing resources or moved to areas with the greatest need.”

She said the hospital is exploring contract staffing in some work areas and that they are using cross-trained staff in roles outside of their routine job assignments. These employees earn bonus wages for their extra shifts.

Other Ohio hospitals have been burdened with the surge as well.

The Cleveland Clinic had 970 caregivers out as of Monday after contracting or being exposed to COVID-19.

Dayton Children’s Hospital announced Tuesday that it will begin admitting adults up the age of 35 to ensure proper care is given due to a high number patients at other hospitals.

Surge plans were developed back in March to provide the hospital guidance on handling them.

“Each hospital has created surge capacity plans in order to meet the demand of high patient volumes, but the double whammy of high volume combined with impact to our workforce compromises our ability to safely deploy these plans,” said Hinders. “It is a daily, sometimes hourly, conversation.”

JTDMH has closed it’s transitional care unit temporarily and elective procedures are being canceled when the hospital has no capacity if the patient is expected to require an in-patient bed.

Hinders stressed the importance of practicing measures to limit the spread of the virus and to keep one from contracting it.

“Wear a mask, practice vigilant hand hygiene and continue social distancing — 6 feet from anyone,” she said.

Being alert for symptoms is key, too.

“Watch for symptoms. Stay home if you are ill,” said Hinders. “If you believe you have had an exposure, you have [signs and symptoms] of COVID-19, or you are awaiting test results, begin isolation from others including members of your household. Notify your close contacts immediately.”

To limit the spread, keep the community safe and help keep hospital capacities at a manageable number, Hinders said it’s people’s responsibility to do their part.

“What you do matters. Every person has a personal and moral responsibility to their neighbor, to ensuring the health of the community,” she said. “This pandemic will not end unless the community decides to implement the evidenced based recommendations in our daily lives collectively. The health care system cannot sustain this pace. High volume, high acuity, staff exhaustion and trauma threaten patient safety.

“If you know someone who works in health care, specifically in a hospital, walk a mile in their shoes and then decide if you want to wear a mask.”