New York State In-depth

NH Hospitals Stressed by Increase in COVID Cases – CBS Boston

EXETER, NH (CBS) – New Hampshire hospital leaders warn that the state’s healthcare system is under stress due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

“We want the public to know that the health system across New Hampshire is under as much pressure as I have seen in emergency medical care for 25 years,” said Dr. Neil Meehan, Chief Physician Executive at Exeter Hospital.

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On Friday, the New Hampshire Department of Health announced 1,450 new positive cases.

Meehan says 25 to 35 percent of patients in Exeter have COVID. Other patients have delayed treatment causing overflow problems.

“We are more than 100% busy and have been for days. Our emergency room can accommodate up to 125 people, which is 150% of our capacity, ”said Meehan.

The hospital is getting creative to deal with the influx by treating overcrowded patients in the surgical recovery area and even in a decontamination bay.

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The situation is also affecting the mental health of staff, according to Chief Nurse Executive Donna McKinney.

“When you think of the beginning of COVID, there have been awards for healthcare workers. There was an acknowledgment. It was great. It’s not there anymore, ”McKinney said.

On Thursday, the New Hampshire Commissioner for Health and Human Services asked lawmakers for flexibility in spending federal funds to address the state’s shortage of hospital beds.

“What we do know is that our hospitals are moving patients to Connecticut and Albany, New York, to get the right level of care they need,” said Commissioner Lori Shibinette.

Meehan and McKinney are now asking the public to get vaccinated and mask themselves.

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“We have a lower vaccination rate than the rest of New England and we really need to improve that. That’s probably the most important thing we can all do now, “said Meehan.

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