The rising number of hospitalizations at Bryan Health in neighboring Lancaster County could mean consequences for Seward County.
According to a report from the Lincoln Journal Star on Oct. 6, CEO of Bryan Medical Center John Woodrich said that “in general” Bryan isn't turning away patients because of capacity issues, however there have been instances where non-COVID patients in need of an ICU bed have had to be diverted to other hospitals. Bryan Medical Center is where a Seward County resident who contracts the coronavirus is sent if they require hospitalization.
In that same report Woodrich said Bryan was still accepting COVID-19 patients from rural hospitals and that 21 of its patients were from outside Lancaster County as of Oct. 6.
Mallory Gibreal, director of community relations for Memorial Health Care Systems, said that the hospital is aware of the rising number of hospitalizations and the hospital has been prepared to care for COVID-19 inpatients since the start of the pandemic.
“We have everything in place to care for the needs of our communities,” she said. “Memorial Health Care Systems team has the skills, training and tools needed to keep our patients, staff and the community well cared for and safe when we do accept a COVID-19 positive inpatient.”
Gibreal said that MCHS has avoided treating coronavirus-positive inpatients because of an agreement with hospitals in the region. Memorial Hospital is part of the Nebraska Healthcare Coalition, which includes an agreement among 20 hospitals in the southeast portion of the state. Both Bryan Medical Center and Chi Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln are part of that agreement that allows hospitals to work together on bed sharing, transfer protocol and employee sharing among other resources.
In order to manage the spread of the coronavirus, Gibreal said that residents can wash hands often, avoid touching their face, avoid unnecessary gatherings and close contact with others, and wear a face covering.
“If you don't want to wear a mask for yourself, consider doing it for others,” Gibreal said. “The immunocompromised, the elderly, the kids that want to stay in school, and for the many health care workers who are working tirelessly to manage COVID-19 patients.”
