In response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Health + Hospitals has embarked on a remarkable journey to bolster its healthcare infrastructure. The organization has undertaken a Herculean effort to address the surging demand for intensive care services and the need for additional healthcare personnel. In this article, we will delve into the ambitious expansion plans and initiatives undertaken by NYC Health + Hospitals to combat the ongoing health crisis.
ICU Bed Expansion: A Critical Response
Recognizing the critical importance of intensive care services in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Health + Hospitals initiated a comprehensive plan to augment its ICU bed capacity. At the forefront of this endeavor are three key medical facilities: NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has played a pivotal role in the surge response, increasing its ICU bed capacity by 82 beds, bringing the total available to 111. Additionally, the hospital is set to add another 30 ICU beds in the coming weeks. This remarkable effort serves as a testament to the commitment of healthcare professionals in the face of adversity.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, another vital component of the healthcare network, has contributed significantly to the expansion efforts. The hospital has added 80 ICU beds to date, with plans to introduce an additional 34 in the near future. This proactive approach demonstrates the dedication of healthcare providers in New York City.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has also stepped up to the plate, increasing its ICU bed capacity by 61 beds, with 52 more on the horizon. These efforts are aimed at ensuring that critically ill patients have access to the lifesaving care they urgently require.
System-Wide Expansion: A Collaborative Effort
While the aforementioned hospitals have made substantial contributions, the entire NYC Health + Hospitals network has rallied together to create a staggering 762 ICU beds throughout the month of April. This remarkable achievement positions NYC Health + Hospitals as a national leader in ICU bed expansion during the pandemic.
The expansion of ICU bed capacity is not confined to just a few hospitals but extends across the entire network:
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull: Adding 91 medical and surgical beds, along with 23 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens: Introducing 373 medical beds and 44 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx: Increasing capacity with 77 medical beds and 31 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan: Adding 156 medical beds and 74 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County: Contributing 292 medical beds and 117 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi: Expanding with 265 medical beds and 93 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem: Providing 141 medical beds and 44 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst: Expanding with 230 medical beds and 69 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island: Increasing capacity with 104 medical beds and 18 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue: Adding 212 medical beds and 52 ICU beds.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln: Bringing 525 beds and 197 ICU beds online.
Support for Healthcare Workers: A Vital Component
Recognizing that the battle against COVID-19 is not only about infrastructure but also the dedicated healthcare professionals on the front lines, NYC Health + Hospitals has been relentless in its support for its staff.
The organization has deployed an additional 165 doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants across the network to bolster the medical workforce. Furthermore, an impressive 1,000 registered nurses have been deployed, with another 1,000 to follow in the coming weeks. This swift action ensures that healthcare workers are equipped to provide the best care possible to patients.
To address the well-being of healthcare workers, NYC Health + Hospitals has made free COVID-19 testing available to its staff upon request. Additionally, the organization has raised over $1.6 million from generous private donors in the last week alone, providing comfort items such as meals, groceries, taxi rides, and hotel rooms to front-line staff.
Moreover, NYC Health + Hospitals has extended its Helping Healers Heal program to offer emotional and psychological counseling to healthcare workers grappling with the stress and anxiety induced by the crisis.
Surge Strategies: A Multifaceted Approach
In addition to expanding infrastructure and supporting healthcare professionals, NYC Health + Hospitals has implemented several surge strategies to effectively manage the influx of patients and protect public health.
These strategies include:
- Opening a new 350-bed medical center on Roosevelt Island, enabling the transfer of low acuity patients and expanding ICU capacity.
- Deploying more than 750 clinicians to provide telephonic clinical guidance to over 4,000 New Yorkers who call 311 daily, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits.
- Scheduling approximately 29,000 patient televisits in a week to keep patients safely at home and minimize the spread of the virus.
Conclusion
In the face of an unprecedented healthcare crisis, NYC Health + Hospitals has demonstrated unwavering commitment and resilience. Their rapid expansion of ICU bed capacity, deployment of additional healthcare personnel, and comprehensive support for front-line staff exemplify their dedication to saving lives and protecting the well-being of New Yorkers. As we navigate these challenging times together, the efforts of NYC Health + Hospitals serve as a beacon of hope and resilience in the fight against COVID-19.
For more information about NYC Health + Hospitals and their ongoing initiatives, please visit .
