Officials with Upper Allegheny Health System are taking preparations for the COVID-19 pandemic one step further by reopening a floor at Bradford Regional Medical Center to prepare for patients should the need arise.
On Friday, Janene Coldren, communications specialist with UAHS, explained.
“Reacting to New York state Gov. Cuomo’s call to expand hospital bed capacity statewide, our facilities staff has done an amazing job,” read a release from Coldren. “New York state hospitals were asked to increase bed capacity in preparation for a patient surge by 50 percent.
“While no formal request was submitted by Pennsylvania, we decided to be proactive and plan for additional surge at BRMC as well,” the release read.
“In Olean, the Outpatient Surgery Center will be reconfigured for additional hospital beds by April 1 and in Bradford, the fourth floor will be reopened, allowing us to accommodate additional patients as well,” the release stated. “We’re here for our community first and foremost.
“Our goal is to create enough capacity to serve local needs,” Coldren’s release reiterated. “At this point, we do not know if or how quickly our bed needs will grow. There are no plans, discussions, and highly unlikely for any patient from outside the region to transfer to Olean General Hospital or Bradford Regional Medical Center.”
On Friday, one person in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., tested positive for the virus, but so far, no one in McKean County has.
“The lack of testing kits throughout the U.S. continues to be an issue and therefore, the lack of confirmed cases probably isn’t a true measure of COVID-19 activity in our communities,” the release stated. “Therefore, it is important for our patients and residents to practice social distancing, staying home unless necessary, practicing good hand hygiene, etc., to prevent the spread of this virus.”
Coldren addressed the issue of supplies, including ventilators, as many of the sickest patients require assistance breathing.
“We have an adequate supply of ventilators for both hospitals,” the release stated. And while there is an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for UAHS staff, more is on the way.
“We plan to universally mask all staff once we have a new supply of masks. We are also awaiting the shipment of additional face shields which are being manufactured locally and will be delivered next week,” the release stated.
“Hospitals across the U.S. are competing for resources. N95 and non N95 masks are in high demand among all healthcare facilities. Recently, a regional corporation donated 1,000 N95 masks to a hospital in its effort to help out,” the release stated. “Anyone who may have an extra supply of masks and would be willing to donate them to BRMC and OGH, can contact communications@uahs.org.”
All visitation at UAHS hospitals has been suspended. Anyone entering the facilities, including employees, will be screened.
