HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Holland Hospital officials announced Thursday, April 9, 2020 they are preparing for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients over the next several weeks.
To that end, they’ll use an agreement with Evergreen Commons to handle any patient overflow, should the hospital exceeds its maximum inpatient capacity in the coming weeks.
“Holland Hospital and Evergreen Commons share the same mission to enhance the health and well-being of our community,” said Dave Knibbe, Evergreen Commons president and CEO, in a statement emailed to media “Our partnership with Holland Hospital dates back twenty years. We know that offering our space during this public health crisis will best serve the community.”
The American Red Cross is donating beds that can be used, if needed, for patients recovering from COVID-19 who are getting close to being discharged.
Rob Schwartz, Holland Hospital Vice President of Quality, IT, HIM and Risk, told WHTC hospital employees routinely practice for emergency incidents and has a disaster preparedness plan. (Listen to the full interview.)
“I can’t say anybody has been through a pandemic here before, but we feel like we’re pretty well prepared and know what we need to do,” he said, adding that the big focus now is getting personal protection equipment, PPE.
Despite the protection, he said, “a few employees have gotten it — but we don’t think they’ve gotten it in the hospital — we know it’s all over the community … but it is possible.”
PPE and other donations have been welcome and will continue to be throughout the pandemic, he said. Some items, like hand sanitizer, have been shared with emergency responders who visit the hospital.
The best way people in the community can help is to stay home and follow all other guidelines for avoiding exposure to COVID-19, such as frequent hand washing and following social distancing guidelines aimed at flattening the curve.
“We can manage this if everybody stays at home,” he said.
Should Ottawa County avoid being one of those hard-hit communities, he said, preparing for a worst-case scenario is still valuable.
“Being prepared isn’t ever going to be a waste of resources,” he said. “it’s better to be ready.”
Learn more at hollandhospital.org/covid19.
