Direct Line from Steve Edwards for 12/31/2020

December in review

We are ending the year with several encouraging signs of growth and continued innovation, while managing through the pandemic. Some of the highlights this month include: finishing work on the new Cox Monett Hospital; opening two new 30,000 square foot facilities in Nixa and Ozark; adding 36 medical/surgical beds to Cox South; completing a COVID ICU expansion adding 33 beds and installing a CT in the unit; beginning rapid COVID tests and a new lab testing platform, acquiring 17 acres for a future Springfield clinic facility and vaccinating approximately 6,000 employees.

COVID-19 update

We are seeing a steady increase in the number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 this week, as we have been hovering around 145. While we are not at our peak of 160-165 patients, we are projecting an increase over the next 1-2 weeks due to possible effects of holiday gatherings. Our rolling 7-day trend for symptomatic patients is back over 30%, which we had not seen in a few weeks.

Vaccinations update

COVID-19 vaccinations continued this week at CoxHealth. We will begin to schedule the second booster dose in the coming days. The vaccine program has been efficient and celebratory with a tremendous amount of emotion and gratitude. It has been nearly event free, and comparable to reactions with a typical flu vaccine.

We are eagerly anticipating the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the region to the general population, and remain somewhat frustrated that the state and federal plan has not been fully released. We are hoping the state will expedite the development of this plan and allow healthcare systems to help lead this effort. We know our patients are anxious to hear the plan as well.

Scholarship renamed in honor of CoxHealth physician

CoxHealth’s Dr. Mark Costley was recognized recently for his work with the Springfield Clinical Campus of the University of Missouri School of Medicine with an endowed scholarship from CoxHealth renamed in his honor.

Proud to work at CoxHealth

“I’m currently a traveling Covid Nurse at Cox South. I’ve worked at many places since Covid has hit and I have never seen any facility handle Covid anywhere near as well as Cox has. Instead of playing catch-up, they are busting their tails to stay one step ahead of it the entire way. The community is lucky to have the leadership and staff that they do at CoxHealth.”

I hope everyone has a safe and restful holiday,

Steve