Local hospitals feel pressure as COVID-19 cases increase

Hospitals in Southeast Missouri are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases, both within their own communities and requests from other medical providers which have run out of bed space and need to transfer patients.

Butler County health officials also say staffing, as larger cities seek more health care workers, is impacting the response.

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center reported critical care units were at full capacity as of Tuesday, but the facility continued to accept patients requiring general admission.

“As you are aware, the number and severity of COVID-19 cases in our area has escalated very quickly,” said Dawn Marshall, director of marketing and community relations at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

SoutheastHEALTH, which operates facilities in Cape Girardeau and Dexter, reported it has seen large increases in requests to transfer patients much further out than usual, from Farmington north toward St. Louis County.

Southeast weighs the resources, staff and beds available before accepting a transfer, hospital officials said.

The Missouri Hospital Association reported bed availability at 34% in Southeast Missouri as of the week of Nov. 14-20, the most recent reporting week. The region also had a positivity rate of more than 30% in the same time period.

The region is home to 995 medical-surgical beds, 127 ICU beds and 151 ventilators, according to the weekly report.

Bed availability was at 40% as of the week of Nov. 8-Nov. 14.

Despite the uptick, local hospital officials say they are managing the need and continue to provide care for both COVID and non-COVID needs.

Saint Francis Medical Center continues to accept all patients, both general patients and those needing specialized care for COVID-19, said Danielle M. Torbet, director of the center’s foundation and marketing.

“While Saint Francis has experienced an increase in both general and COVID patients in recent weeks, measures have been put in place to ensure the medical center can continue caring for all who enter our doors with integrity, dignity, compassion and excellence,” Torbet said. “Saint Francis Medical Center will remain available to our community at all times.”

Southeast Hospital at its Cape Girardeau location has a total of 244 beds.

“We have several dedicated units for COVID patients only, along with other units designated for general health care services, such as orthopedics and cardiac care,” Maria Sudak, SoutheastHEALTH vice president and chief operating officer said. “Our team of health care providers continues to provide excellent care during exceptionally challenging times.”

PBRMC’s mission has been and will continue to be to provide safe and quality care to our community, said Marshall.

“We are extremely proud of the many ways in which our staff and physicians have risen to this challenge,” Marshall said.

Staffing needs also are being watched, said Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers.

“It is not about space; it is about staffing: locally, regionally and statewide. In some places, they are paying a premium to recruit staff. This leaves voids in rural America, where it is being felt the most,” he explained.

The state of Missouri is looking at different plans to help in the crisis, Myers said.

There has been talk about involving the National Guard, and other innovative plans are being explored, officials said. There are not enough trained special caregivers, and those the state has are very stressed after months of the pandemic.

While a vaccine will be part of the answer in fighting this battle, everyone needs to continue to take safety precautions now to limit the spread of the virus and the need for hospital interventions, officials agree.

“Families practicing social distancing and washing their hands will help reduce the virus, as well as using common sense. Vaccines and other therapies will help us get to the other side of this,” said Myers.

Butler County Health Center Director Emily Goodin agrees, saying “it is time for us to be responsible. It is time for us to social distance, wear a mask. If you are sick, don’t go to work.”

“As we all work through this time, it is important for everyone to practice the guidelines suggested by the CDC. Practice social distancing, wear a face mask, perform thorough and frequent hand washing,” Marshall said.