Jan. 7, 2022

Bracing for impact with Omicron

This week, we saw record numbers of COVID-positive tests that make it clear a new wave of the pandemic is upon us.

Previously, our single-day record for the highest number of positive test results was 183, set during the delta surge. On Wednesday, we had 317 and Thursday, 412. Our overall inpatient census on Friday was 786 (with 122 COVID-positive patients), which is 20% higher than our budgeted census. Our current projections suggest we could see more than 220 COVID-19 patients in the next few weeks. We hope those projections will be high, but we will be prepared.

We are bracing for impact. Hospitals in St. Louis and Kansas City are reaching a crisis point as their cases rise and 10% or more of their staff members are out sick. These are trends we expect to see here soon.

We have established contingency plans to help us manage rising patient numbers with reduced staff. Virtually all departments in the system are planning ways to adjust their work and reassign resources so we can continue to provide a high standard of care for our communities.

These rising case numbers take place at a time when our facilities are already busy. Right now, our hospitals, ERs, urgent cares and primary cares are operating near capacity.

As COVID numbers trend upward, the public will see longer wait times. We are reminding people seeking care to reach out to their primary care physician first, or consider our Virtual Visits on Demand.

I ask everyone to be patient and be kind. After nearly two years in the pandemic, our staff are weary, exhausted and running on adrenaline. They will continue to serve our community well and we will rise to these coming challenges.

Encourage friends and family to get a booster

In the face of the omicron variant, vaccines continue to offer protection from severe disease and hospitalization.

On a recent day, we saw 105 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. They were about 95% unvaccinated. Only six of the patients with COVID pneumonia were vaccinated, and none of those had received a booster.

We encourage everyone who is eligible to get a booster. Anyone can schedule a booster by calling 417-269-1300.

Shortage of monoclonal antibodies

Due to a national shortage, we are currently running low on our supply of monoclonal antibodies.

We do not control our supply, as monoclonal antibodies are allocated by the federal government. Hospitals across Missouri are facing a similar situation.

Given those uncertainties, we will focus our use of monoclonal antibodies on the patients who are at highest risk of hospitalization and death.

Inside CoxHealth East Battlefield

CoxHealth East Battlefield, our new super clinic, opened a couple of weeks ago. The facility offers primary care, physical therapy, radiology and lab services, all in one place. An urgent care will open in the facility soon. See video of the facility at this link.

Cox South and Cox Monett welcome New Year’s babies

While we are preparing for a challenging surge of COVID cases, we are also reminded of the role we play in some of the happiest moments in our patients’ lives. We recently celebrated New Year’s babies at Cox Monett and Cox South. You can see their stories here: Cox South; Cox Monett.

Voice of the patient

From a patient at Cox South: “I was on the fourth floor and the staff there work so hard. I had everything I needed and never had to wait. My questions always answered. If there was ever a recognition for staff, they deserve one.”

Thank you for all you do,
Steve

Direct Line from Steve Edwards: 1/7/22