In Hernando County, there has been an (all time) total of 83 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 as of July 11, 2020, according to the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Summary for Hernando County. There are currently 34 hospitalizations according to the USF COVID-19 Hub, as of July 12, 2020, at 7:15 pm. Total Adult ICU bed capacity in the county is 16.07% (as of July 12, 7:15 pm).
HCA Healthcare West Florida Division Hospitals have decided to restrict certain inpatient elective surgeries and procedures effective July 11, 2020, in order to free up capacity for COVID patients. Oak Hill Hospital in Hernando County is one of 12 HCA West Florida Division hospitals listed in a news release to be impacted by the policy change.
The news release states, “This change does not affect hospital-based outpatient surgeries or procedures, nor those performed at HCA Healthcare Ambulatory Surgery Centers.”
“The number of COVID cases in our hospitals are increasing daily, and we need to ensure that our caregivers and hospitals are in a position to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to our patients. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, making adjustments as necessary,” said Ravi Chari, M.D., president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division.
HCA explains that hospitals “are working with surgeons to identify appropriate patients for postponement of procedures that typically require a post-surgical inpatient stay. Patients whose procedures will be delayed will be contacted by their surgeon.”
“Delaying surgical cases that can appropriately be postponed allows us to safely and quickly expand capacity,” explained Dr. Chari. “I want to emphasize that our ERs remain safe and open for anyone experiencing a medical emergency and we will continue to work with other healthcare providers and local and state government agencies to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
Bayfront Health Brooksville and Spring Hill, like Oak Hill, continue to offer outpatient surgeries. Bayfront is still offering elective procedures as well according to Jennifer Siem, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Bayfront Health. Siem provides the following statement, “Numerous precautions for infection prevention, access control, social distancing, and patient flow are in place to maintain a safe environment of care. All patients scheduling surgery or other invasive procedures are tested for COVID-19 in advance of the procedure. Everyone who enters the building, including staff, is screened, and all employees, physicians, and patients are required to wear masks. Cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces and caregiving spaces has been intensified. We continue to closely monitor the situation within our hospital and the community.”
Hospital Beds Census and Staffed Availability in Hernando County as of July 12, 7:15 pm
Bayfront Health Brooksville Bed Census: 72, Available: 48, Total Staffed Bed Capacity: 120
Available Capacity: 40%
Bayfront Health Spring Hill Bed Census: 49, Available: 75, Total Staffed Bed Capacity: 124
Available Capacity: 60.48%
Bayfront Health Spring Hill Bed Census: 49, Available: 75, Total Staffed Bed Capacity: 124
Available Capacity: 60.48%
ICU Hospital bed capacity in Hernando County as of July 12, 7:15 pm
Adult ICU Beds Census: 47, Available Adult ICU Beds 9
Available Adult ICU %: 16.07%
Breakdown by Hospital:
Bayfront Brooksville Adult ICU Bed Census: 9, Available: 3, Total Capacity: 12; 25% Availability
Oak Hill Hospital Adult ICU Bed Census: 33, Available: 3, Total Capacity: 36; 8.33% Availability
Bayfront Spring Hill Adult ICU Bed Census: 5, Available: 3, Total Capacity: 8; 37.5% Availability
Hospitalizations with Primary Diagnosis of COVID: 34 as of July 12, 2020, 7:15 pm
(Data from the USF COVID-19 Hub.)
