Systems at several large hospitals in California postponed alternative procedures because of the emphasis on resources on the influx of COVID-19 patients and the fear of further surges after the holidays.
Hospitals were moving patients to use all available space as the number of infected patients in California reached 19,237 as of Saturday, the second record and an increase of nearly 300 from the previous day. Two area coronavirus hospital admissions rose 39,800 to 1,869, the second record – for at least a day – vague hopes for the regional monastery.
Intensive care unit availability averaged a zero percent statewide on Sunday, showing how much of the “boom” facilities are in place to care for overflow patients in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley areas. The availability of two area ICUs on Sunday was 11.1% – just a slight downward tick compared to the 11.3% reported on Saturday.
Faced with an increasing patient load, Kaiser Permanente said it has postponed “alternative and non-invasive” surgeries and procedures at its Northern California facilities until Jan. 4, although delays apply to cancer cases or other urgent / urgent surgeries and procedures. The health system operates 39 hospitals across the state, including 21 in Northern California.
Kaiser Hospitals in Southern California have postponed neurogenic elective surgery until Jan. 10 – with the exception of cancer – and according to the health system “there is no need to schedule any new alternative surgery until the end of January.”
The Associated Press reports that Sutter Health, which has 24 hospitals in Northern California, is also postponing some alternative surgeries. A spokesman for Sutter declined to give details Sunday but said the system has provided an integrated response to the network to prepare and respond to patients’ surgeries, which may include postponing some procedures.
A good Samaritan hospital and regional medical center in San Jose are also canceling optional, non-invasive surgery, a spokesman said Sunday, so that we can focus on all urgent cases, both COVID and non-covid, and all patients with one. Keep it safe at the same time. ”
The space at the regional medical center is so tight that some non-covid-19 patients have to wait in the hospital’s “safe areas” when rooms are doubled or new ones are prepared, spokeswoman Sarah Sherwood said. COVID-19 patients “triaged immediately,” he said.
Kaiser officials said their medical centers are still open and patients have urged them to contact their doctors about their “ongoing care needs”. Kaiser said it would “reorganize the alternative as soon as possible, ensuring the safety of all our patients and staff.”
The most affected regions of the state – Southern California and the greater San Joaquin Quinn Valley area – still have zero ICU availability on Sunday, and hospitals have reported housing patients in settings outside the ICU. The state’s stay-at-home order for those two regions could in principle expire on Monday, but given the dire situation, it is certain to be extended.
The capacity of the ICU in the larger Sacramento area on Sunday is 17.8%, again rising above the 15% threshold, but not for long to be free from regional stay-at-home orders. The Northern California area – the only county in Northern California counties and under the stay-home order – has a availability of 28.3%.
“We cannot underestimate the urgency of all California residents to stay home as much as possible,” the California Department of Public Health said in a statement Sunday. “Doctors, nurses and health care workers are doing everything possible to treat every patient who walks through their door, whether they have Covid-19 or other serious medical conditions. We know how difficult this is for each of us – but we must do our part by staying at home because this is the only way we can help save lives. “
Kaiser officials said they were “monitoring” the bed availability of the intensive care unit. They have increased the active capacity so that hospitals can accommodate more patients than usual.
“Our command centers continue to monitor the situation carefully,” Kaiser officials said.
San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer Lure Ren Hernandez contributed to this report.
Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: tatianaysanchez
