Hunter
11/30/20
Officials at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are bracing for a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Epidemiologist Dr. Jorge Salinas tells the Cedar Rapids Gazette that the UIHC is in the first stage of its surge plan. If there’s a spike in cases that require hospitalization, they’re prepared to add more ICU beds, reassign more staff and reschedule more non-essential surgeries.
Hundreds of staff at the UIHC have been cross-trained to move around as needed to handle a surge. Some have already been reassigned to their flu-like illness clinic and their call center, which has seen increased volume lately.
Salinas says their surge plan is a consequence of the pandemic, not a solution. He told the paper, “The solution is taking the appropriate precautions to avoid infections in the first place, including avoiding large gatherings, wearing a mask and social distancing.”
While hospitals around the area have no huge stockpile of personal protective gear, officials believe the supply flow is stronger than when the pandemic began. Their biggest concern is staff burnout and stress.
