Recent surges of COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza are causing Nebraska hospitals to face problems in caring for patients, staffing beds, and managing their workforces. Local medical leaders held an online video conference in which they outlined the problems they’re struggling with.
Jeremy Nordquist, President of the Nebraska Hospital Association, was first to speak, saying, “With COVID, we’re pretty close to where we were at this time last year in terms of emergency room visits.”
COVID is rebounding at the same time that flu cases are rising, too. “We’ve entered the flu season earlier and with much higher counts than we were a year ago,” said Nordquist.
Regarding RSV, Dr. John Trapp, Chief Medical Officer of Bryan Medical, said they’re still very concerned about the rise of the virus in children. He added that they’ve been transferring patients in need of intensive care to their partners in Omaha.
All told, the three illnesses are wreaking havoc on hospital capacity. Dr. Trapp outlined the ways that capacity has been affecting patients and staff. “High-volume through our emergency department, longer waits; we still are incorporating patients who are in hallway beds, which is challenging for us,” said Dr. Trapp.
“Our workforce remains tired. They’ve been through a long number of years.”
Hospitals encourage anyone who is feeling ill to first contact their primary care physician or go to urgent care before considering a trip to a hospital Emergency Department.