Covid and Hospitals: How are things now?

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Just curious. Here in DFW I see hospitalizations are rising to 14%. How are things in the hospitals? Are things relatively normal? No more furloughs?

Please share. I am not in acute care, but I am of course very interested in the effects on acute care staff.

1 hour ago, toomuchbaloney said:

I don't think there are too many of those thinkers in this group.  It seems that most AN members are realistic about this public health crisis. IMV

Yes, I was thinking of it in general terms and for the general public who have access to this forum. ?

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Thank you all for the updates. I was really wondering how things were looking now. Seems like "business as usual" here in DFW although the majority I see out and about are wearing their masks despite lifting the mandate. Traffic is back to awful and restaurants are definitely crowded.

Are you seeing the trend of younger people (30's and 40's) being hospitalized now?

Seems like they were practically begging people to sign up for vaccinations on the news. Any age and no appt. needed as wait lists are almost done and so much vaccine available.  I hope they start taking it to peoples work places and under served communities. Colleges too!

 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Young, unvaccinated adults fuel COVID-19 hospitalization surge in Michigan

I'm still encouraging my vaccine reluctant, conservative Michigan family members to accept vaccination.  

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
On 4/6/2021 at 7:44 AM, CrunchRN said:

Thank you all for the updates. I was really wondering how things were looking now. Seems like "business as usual" here in DFW although the majority I see out and about are wearing their masks despite lifting the mandate. Traffic is back to awful and restaurants are definitely crowded.

Are you seeing the trend of younger people (30's and 40's) being hospitalized now?

Seems like they were practically begging people to sign up for vaccinations on the news. Any age and no appt. needed as wait lists are almost done and so much vaccine available.  I hope they start taking it to peoples work places and under served communities. Colleges too!

 

In my area, Tampa Bay, Florida, there has been a drop in the demand for the vaccine which is disappointing.  We have a high rate of vaccinated seniors but as it's opened to all ages over 16 now it seems demand is starting to fall.  

Very disappointing as the rate of infection is still stubborn and not falling, and rising somewhat.  Florida just passed the two million mark, 10% of the population which I suppose isn't as bad as it could be.   All restrictions were lifted last September but with most restrictions lifted last May.  

Hospitalizations remain stubborn in my organization of hospitals but it's not near as bad as last Summer.  Our covid unit closed due to the small number of patients and inadequate staff.  

As we have one of the most vaccinated senior populations, the average age of hospitalized patients has dropped, but I don't think the numbers have increased by a lot.    I think I remember the average age of infection is 30, but most of them get well and are managed outside the hospital.

 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
2 hours ago, Tweety said:

In my area, Tampa Bay, Florida, there has been a drop in the demand for the vaccine which is disappointing.  We have a high rate of vaccinated seniors but as it's opened to all ages over 16 now it seems demand is starting to fall.  

Very disappointing as the rate of infection is still stubborn and not falling, and rising somewhat.  Florida just passed the two million mark, 10% of the population which I suppose isn't as bad as it could be.   All restrictions were lifted last September but with most restrictions lifted last May.  

Hospitalizations remain stubborn in my organization of hospitals but it's not near as bad as last Summer.  Our covid unit closed due to the small number of patients and inadequate staff.  

As we have one of the most vaccinated senior populations, the average age of hospitalized patients has dropped, but I don't think the numbers have increased by a lot.    I think I remember the average age of infection is 30, but most of them get well and are managed outside the hospital.

 

Most of that is very encouraging news, frankly.  

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
3 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:

Most of that is very encouraging news, frankly.  

Yes, it's not all gloom and doom.  Strange times when "it could be worse" or "it's not as bad as it was" is encouraging as the virus rages on.

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Specializes in ICU.

Received my first untested patient directly from a physician office the other day. PT was admitted directly to a surgical ICU with normal airflow. The designated covid unit of 12 beds was full and another unit was not staffed to be opened. 
This may not sound bad but in ft lauderdale this is a change from usual procedure. Patients are screened in ER and held in isolation settings until Covid-19 status is determined. This is significant to me as the governor has removed liability from employer for COVID infections from work exposure. 
Staff and patient safety has now begun to be jeopardized in the name of staffing expenses. 

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Thank you for the updates.

I agree that the lack of people willing to have the vaccine is disappointing. I guess herd immunity was a pipe dream.

That seems nuts to admit a Covid case to a surgical ICU!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

We have more inpatient Covid's than we've had since it started, and we were one of the places that had to rent a refrigerated truck at the beginning.

Our regional supplier has body bags on backorder, but it turns out you can buy body bags on Amazon, which have built in handles which are nice.  The label on them is a bit weird though; "Post-mortem Body Bag".  Does that mean there is such a thing as a Pre-mortem body bag?

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Our hospital has more inpatients and patients on vents than during the post holiday surge. All patients are tested prior to admit. But people in the community are acting like it was all a hoax. 

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
17 minutes ago, nursej22 said:

Our hospital has more inpatients and patients on vents than during the post holiday surge. All patients are tested prior to admit. But people in the community are acting like it was all a hoax. 

It's so frustrating!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Muno and Nursej22 - what area of the US are you in?

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