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Hospitalizations, a thread:
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Oklahoma’s #COVID19 hospitalizations are spiking again, and that’s creating concern among some health care providers. But there’s a lot of nuance in how hospitals staff on a daily basis.
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Oklahoma’s #COVID19 hospitalizations are spiking again, and that’s creating concern among some health care providers. But there’s a lot of nuance in how hospitals staff on a daily basis.
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Back in April, when Oklahoma released its hospital surge plan, things were looking dire in other states, especially New York and Louisiana.
Back in April, when Oklahoma released its hospital surge plan, things were looking dire in other states, especially New York and Louisiana.
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At that time, Oklahoma had stopped elective surgeries, and many hospitals furloughed staff involved in those types of procedures.
At that time, Oklahoma had stopped elective surgeries, and many hospitals furloughed staff involved in those types of procedures.
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And testing was still very limited, so the message was stay home if you’re sick, and only go to hospital if you’re *very* sick.
And testing was still very limited, so the message was stay home if you’re sick, and only go to hospital if you’re *very* sick.
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Oklahoma’s surge plan had three tiers, briefly:
--Tier 1: Staff and resource equipment to additional 40% of hospital capacity
--Tier 2: COVID-only hospital wings activated in OKC/Tulsa
--Tier 3: Temporary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “field hospitals” for non-COVID care.
Oklahoma’s surge plan had three tiers, briefly:
--Tier 1: Staff and resource equipment to additional 40% of hospital capacity
--Tier 2: COVID-only hospital wings activated in OKC/Tulsa
--Tier 3: Temporary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “field hospitals” for non-COVID care.
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Remember, Oklahoma’s previous hospitalization numbers peaked in late March at 562. Many of those patients were older and required more care days in hospital beds and possibly ICU beds.
Remember, Oklahoma’s previous hospitalization numbers peaked in late March at 562. Many of those patients were older and required more care days in hospital beds and possibly ICU beds.
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Now as hospitalizations peak again, the average age of those infected has been lower by about a decade. Hospitalizations of COVID patients remains very serious, but the mix of patients likely looks more like the mix of the general population.
Now as hospitalizations peak again, the average age of those infected has been lower by about a decade. Hospitalizations of COVID patients remains very serious, but the mix of patients likely looks more like the mix of the general population.
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One of the big gaps in reporting Oklahoma #COVID19 hospitalizations is we don’t know *where* patients are being hospitalized. Or their ages, apart from a statewide average. (Psst, @HealthyOklahoma) #FOI #transparency
One of the big gaps in reporting Oklahoma #COVID19 hospitalizations is we don’t know *where* patients are being hospitalized. Or their ages, apart from a statewide average. (Psst, @HealthyOklahoma) #FOI #transparency
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That’s likely added to confusion about ICU/hospitalization capacity because hospitals are still treating regular patients (think car wrecks, heart attacks, etc.) and elective surgeries have been back since April 24.
That’s likely added to confusion about ICU/hospitalization capacity because hospitals are still treating regular patients (think car wrecks, heart attacks, etc.) and elective surgeries have been back since April 24.
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Hospitals are experts at staffing to patient need and capacity. They’ve been doing it literally since the first hospitals started. And there’s systems in place to divert patients or turn off elective surgeries if a hospital sees a surge in patients.
Hospitals are experts at staffing to patient need and capacity. They’ve been doing it literally since the first hospitals started. And there’s systems in place to divert patients or turn off elective surgeries if a hospital sees a surge in patients.
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Here’s a look at the latest #COVID19 hospitalization numbers in Oklahoma. They rose on Monday to 613, up 66 patients since Friday’s report. Out of those patients, 248 were in ICU. (This data is only reported on weekdays.)
Here’s a look at the latest #COVID19 hospitalization numbers in Oklahoma. They rose on Monday to 613, up 66 patients since Friday’s report. Out of those patients, 248 were in ICU. (This data is only reported on weekdays.)
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Here’s my latest story on the state’s hospital surge plan, from July 11. The state renegotiated the COVID-only beds it is using as an “insurance plan” if the situation elevates under the surge plan. https://oklahomawatch.org/2020/07/11/oklahoma-renegotiates-hospital-surge-contracts-as-coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-spike/
Here’s my latest story on the state’s hospital surge plan, from July 11. The state renegotiated the COVID-only beds it is using as an “insurance plan” if the situation elevates under the surge plan. https://oklahomawatch.org/2020/07/11/oklahoma-renegotiates-hospital-surge-contracts-as-coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-spike/
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Here’s Oklahoma’s hospital surge plan for #COVID19, developed with @ohaconnect back in April. Expect to hear some updates to it in today’s @GovStitt press conference. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6881295-Surge-Plan-FINAL-5-1-20.html
Here’s Oklahoma’s hospital surge plan for #COVID19, developed with @ohaconnect back in April. Expect to hear some updates to it in today’s @GovStitt press conference. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6881295-Surge-Plan-FINAL-5-1-20.html
