The State Health Department is now calling on hospitals statewide to update recently submitted "surge" pandemic plans.
According to a news release issued by Kaleida Health on Saturday, "The goal is to increase hospital inpatient bed capacity by 50% to help fight the ongoing coronavirus health crisis."
Kaleida Health has provided the following plan of attack for area facilities, staff and equipment:
· Re-opening beds at DeGraff Memorial Hospital.
· Additional intensive care beds at all sites (Bradford Regional Medical Center, Buffalo General Medical Center, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Oishei Children’s Hospital and Olean General Hospital).
· Doubling up private rooms and conversion of old hospital rooms/space.
· Utilization of ambulatory surgery space and ambulatory surgery centers.
· Redeployment of required medical equipment (ventilators, patient beds, etc.).
· HOSPITALS IN NEED OF MASKS: Hospitals in Western New York are competing nationally and internationally for resources. Kaleida Health is asking for the community’s help in protecting staff in the coming weeks by donating unused masks they may have:
o Any N95 and Non-N95 mask donations will be accepted.
o N95 masks that are in high need are:
§ 3M 1860 model (size regular and small)
§ Halyard model #46767 and 46867
o To help contact the Kaleida Health Coronavirus Command Center:
§ Phone (716) 859-2200
