CORONAVIRUS

Hospitals Could Ration Care, Activate ‘Crisis Standards Of Care’

Oct 26, 2020, 9:30 PM | Updated: 10:06 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After an alarming surge of COVID-19 cases in the state, the Utah Department of Public Safety and hospitals are talking about the next critical steps.

If the pressure on Utah’s hospitals continues, state leaders said they will activate their emergency plan for crisis care.

The Utah Crisis Standards of Care is a nine-page blueprint for how hospitals would function if they end up with more patients than they can treat. Officials with the Utah Hospital Association has warned the state’s hospitals may have to start rationing care, and this is the plan they would use.

“It’s very clear that we are in an alarming state right now with the number of people who are hospitalized,” said Joe Dougherty, spokesman for the Utah Department of Public Safety.

If it continues, the Utah Hospital Association may ask the state to activate the Utah Crisis Standards of Care in the next couple of weeks.

“This is a plan that is meant to be used only temporarily, and really to make sure that people are getting the greatest care for the greatest number of people,” said Dougherty.

Age is a factor, but not the only one, he said. The plan weighs ethical and moral decisions in addition to logistical concerns and brings families in on the decision making.

“We can provide more bed spaces, but we don’t magically make more people up here for the people who need it,” he said.

Utah hospitals are trying to balance the number of patients with beds and staffing, often moving a patient from one hospital to another.

“They will be getting some great care because we have one of the best hospital systems in the United States,” said Dougherty. “We’re confident that people will still get care. It just may not be the highest level of care.”

The state is also using three long-term care facilities exclusively for COVID-19 patients that don’t need to be in the intensive care unit.

“That was part of the contingency plans before we ever get to the crisis standards of care,” said Dougherty. “We’ve been using these facilities: they all have a couple of dozen patients there.”

Initially, those long-term care facilities were used to treat patients from other long-term care facilities. Now, they’re also needed for COVID-19 patients who do not need intensive care.

“They are only there if they have COVID. They have no non-COVID patients in that facility,” said Dr. Michelle Hofmann. She is the physician lead overseeing contracting and operations at the COVID-19 dedicated nursing facilities in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and St. George on behalf of the Utah Department of Health.

“It became as important for offloading hospitals as it is for allowing lateral movement from a facility that previously had no cases into a place that is highly dedicated and specialized to caring for people with COVID-19,” said Hofmann.

“Everyone has the ability to help turn the tide right now by choosing to limit your social gatherings, by choosing to wear a mask wherever you go,” said Dougherty.

The state could also use the Mountain America Expo Center as a field hospital for non-COVID-19 patients to help relieve pressure on the hospitals.

You can read the state’s comprehensive Utah Crisis Standards of Care plan online. Other information on COVID-19 resources can be found at the state’s comprehensive coronavirus website.

KSL 5 TV Live

Coronavirus

FILE - Former state Rep. Michael DiMassa, left, arrives at U.S. District Court in Hartford, Conn., ...

Dave Collins

Former Connecticut lawmaker gets 27 months in prison for stealing coronavirus aid

A former Connecticut state representative has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for stealing more than $1.2 million from the city of West Haven.

3 days ago

Jennifer Anderton and Lisa Whittaker reunion...

Ashley Moser

Utah coma patient reunites with nurse who had ‘angel’s voice’

In January 2020, Jennifer Anderton was rushed to Lakeview Hospital’s Emergency Room with COVID-19 symptoms, unaware that her journey would turn into a two-week stay. 

15 days ago

Some lots of SD Biosensor, Inc. Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Tests are being recalled. (SD Biosensor, Inc...

Paradise Afshar and Nadia Kounang

Some Pilot COVID-19 At Home Tests recalled by FDA over bacteria risk

SD Biosensor is recalling all impacted tests, which were distributed by Roche Diagnostics to various retailers to stop the spread of Covid-19 infections.

28 days ago

FILE - Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies...

Mike Stobbe, AP Medical Writer

CDC’s Rochelle Walensky resigns, citing pandemic transition

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, submitted her resignation Friday, saying the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic was a good time to make a transition.

29 days ago

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), speaks to jour...

Maria Cheng and Jamey Keaten

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency

The World Health Organization says that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency.

29 days ago

FILE: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (left) and Moderna COVID-19 (right) vaccines are seen at a vaccinati...

Zeke Miller, AP White House Correspondent

US to lift most federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates next week

The Biden administration will end the last remaining federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements next week when the national public health emergency for the coronavirus ends.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Brunette guy in headphones playing games on his desktop computer...

PC Laptops

Looking For a New Computer? Use This Desktop Buying Guide

Choosing a new desktop computer can come with a lot of questions, so we created this desktop buying guide.

Portrait of happy boy playing and splashing water in the swimming pool...

Get Out Pass

Family Fun Activities in Utah You Have to Try This Summer

These family fun activities will entertain you all summer, so if you ever feel stuck in a rut wondering what to do, refer to this guide!

Woman IT specialist in elegant suit working on notebook computer in data center next to server rack...

Les Olson

Your Complete Guide to Outsourcing IT Services

This guide covers everything you need to know about the different benefits of outsourcing IT services to meet your small business needs.

diverse group of friends dance outside under string lights...

Lighting Design

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Read for the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting to help narrow the search for your home.

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Hospitals Could Ration Care, Activate ‘Crisis Standards Of Care’