More than half of Mercy Health Muskegon’s hospital beds are occupied by COVID patients. That number is expected to continue to climb. Meeting the need, the hospital is creating more space and putting out the call for additional frontline help.
As this story unfolds, of the 240 hospital beds at Mercy Health Muskegon, 130 are filled with COVID-19 patients.
“We’re calling it an ‘internal disaster’ which means all-hands on deck.”
Kim Maquire is Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President Patient Care Services.
We asked if there are enough doctors and nurses for handling the influx?
“Um, we are staying steady but obviously our staff are getting sick as well,” said Maquire.
And with long hours worked from the entire hospital staff, backup is desperately needed.
“We are trying to recruit," Maquire says. "In fact, we had 21nurses starting today and we have another 29 that are coming into town on the 23rd.”
With another group coming in later this month. Backup staffing helping support the Thursday opening of a COVID care unit at the Hackley Campus.
“It’ll be 10 beds to start," Maquire said. "We are staffed to take up to 20. Maybe even upwards of 30. And so, this will be more of the stable COVID patient. These patients generally stay in the hospital for about a week.”
If necessary, the Hackley Campus can expand the COVID care unit to 100 beds.
“Hospitals/ health officials say anyone who is exercising concerning or emergency symptoms should not hesitate to go to their local emergency room.”