Salem Township Hospital President Kendra Taylor says the uptick in COVID-19 cases is having an impact on operations at the hospital.
She reviewed the situation at Wednesday’s monthly hospital board meeting.
“It certainly hasn’t impacted our ability to provide care for our patients. But we have definitely seen an increase with volumes to the hospital with those who are concerned either due to an exposure or themselves experiencing COVID-19. We’ve seen a huge volume increase into our Rural Health Urgent Care Clinic as well as our laboratory with the number of people being tested. So we’ve definitely over the last couple of weeks have seen huge, huge increases in those two areas.”
But Taylor emphasizes all other hospital services are available as usual.
“We do feel like we have the proper precautions and things in place to make sure that we are able to safely care for all of our other individuals coming to clinics and seeking other care. We have not had to scale back or close any of our other services. They are still open as well.”
Taylor notes one of the biggest issues is in the transport of more seriously ill patients to regional hospitals in the St. Louis area. She reports many cannot handle any more patients. Taylor says they are still able to find transfer locations, but it is not always the first choice.
The hospital is able to offer three types of COVID-19 testing. A rapid molecular test that includes a nasal swab can be done in house, but keeping supplies for the machine has been an issue. They also have a full respiratory panel that screens for 30 plus viruses, including COVID-19.
They also can do a test they send out to Lab Corps that is usually available within two days.
Taylor says they are still allowing one visitor per patient, but visitors must not be ill, go through the wellness check station and wear a mask.
The hospital did have a profit in September, but not as much as the past few months. But Taylor says during a pandemic she will take the $58,000 positive bottom line.
