As COVID-19 cases continue to escalate in Southern California, hospitals in Los Angeles County are facing unprecedented challenges, leading them to repurpose areas like gift shops for patient care. The surge in infections has left healthcare facilities overwhelmed, forcing them to stretch their resources to the limit.
Reports indicate that nearly every hospital in the county had to redirect ambulances carrying patients, with over 90% of facilities that typically receive 911 calls doing so on just one Sunday. “It’s a crisis — there’s no doubt about it,” states Alex Thompson, the Chief Executive of Riverside Medical Center. “And the influx of patients just keeps coming.”
Intensive care units (ICUs) are also at critical levels, with 1,449 ICU patients reported on Sunday and only 54 available beds countywide by Monday. Currently, two-thirds of the ICU capacity is occupied by COVID-19 patients. “You must be resourceful and creative, using your facilities in ways that may not have been considered before,” Thompson remarks.
If conditions worsen, hospitals might have to implement care rationing, leading medical staff to make tough decisions about resource allocation rather than striving to save every life. This could have dire consequences for individuals with treatable or preventable health issues. “We’re at a turning point. If the situation deteriorates further, many hospitals will start rationing care,” warns Dr. Linda Martinez, CEO of Community Health Center in South L.A., a 120-bed facility that had 200 patients on Monday.
Riverside Medical Center is currently operating at 140% capacity, having to request a temporary halt on ambulance calls. In addition to using gift shop spaces, conference rooms are also being converted to accommodate patients, and medical tents are being erected in parking lots. “All hospitals are under pressure, but the smaller ones are facing especially severe strains,” explains L.A. County Health Services Director Sarah Lewis. “Many hospitals have reached a breaking point and are confronting difficult decisions regarding patient care.”
Thompson mentions that they have had to discharge nearly all patients who are not critically ill and can be treated on an outpatient basis. “I’ve been in this field for 30 years,” he reflects, “and I’ve never witnessed anything like this.”
Dr. Steven Harris, Chief Medical Officer at L.A. County Medical Center, warns that if a Christmas surge occurs, the situation could mirror what New York experienced last April.
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Summary
Los Angeles County hospitals are facing extreme pressure due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, leading them to utilize gift shop areas and other unconventional spaces for patient care. With ICU beds nearly full and the possibility of care rationing looming, healthcare providers are under tremendous strain to manage resources effectively. As the situation continues to escalate, the health of both COVID-19 patients and those with other medical needs hangs in the balance.
Keyphrase: Los Angeles hospitals COVID-19 surge
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