Ochsner Lafayette (La.) General Orthopedic Hospital temporarily closed Aug. 5 for surgery to redeploy staff to care for COVID-19 patients.
Ochsner Health said 520 of its employees tested positive for COVID-19 and are quarantining, while the health system still needs to care for 890 patients hospitalized with the virus.
Ochsner isn't the first system to redeploy resources during the most recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. Houston-based Harris Health System also is diverting staff from its clinics to hospitals as beds fill up with COVID-19 patients. The health system temporarily closed two clinics Aug. 3.
ASCs in these states have not closed yet, but may need to make adjustments if hospitalizations continue to increase. "We are not currently making any changes but are keeping an eye on developments," said Alfonso Del Granado, administrator of Covenant High Plains Surgery Center in Lubbock. "Hospitals here are creeping up to the 15 percent threshold, and if they decide to clamp down on elective cases, we’ll have to be mindful about putting into effect contingency plans to limit cases that are at higher risk for transfer."
Mr. Del Granado said he is coordinating with his health system partner and national management company on contingency plans if cases continue to spike in the region.