As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Southern California, hospitals in Los Angeles County are facing unprecedented challenges, leading them to repurpose gift shop spaces for patient care. With the region grappling with a significant influx of new infections, hospitals have had to maximize every available area to accommodate the overwhelming number of patients.
Reports indicate that nearly all hospitals in the county have had to reroute ambulances due to their full capacities. “It’s a crisis — there’s no denying it,” says Michael James, the Chief Executive of City Hospital in Gardena. “And the numbers just keep rising.” Intensive care units (ICUs) are particularly strained; recent data shows that the county’s ICUs were at 1,449 patients, with only 54 available beds remaining. Currently, two-thirds of ICU beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients. “We must be innovative and use our resources in ways we haven’t considered before,” James notes.
The situation could worsen, leading to potential rationing of care, where medical professionals may have to prioritize resources rather than attempt to save every life. This could have devastating consequences for those with treatable or preventable conditions. “We’re at a pivotal moment. If the numbers continue to climb, hospitals may have to start rationing care,” warns Dr. Lisa Harper, the CEO of Willowbrook Medical Center, which has seen its patient count exceed its 131-bed capacity.
City Hospital is currently operating at 140% capacity and had to pause ambulance admissions for four hours recently. In addition to utilizing gift shops, other unconventional spaces like conference rooms are being transformed into treatment areas, and medical tents are being erected in parking lots to handle the overflow. “Every hospital is feeling the strain, but smaller facilities are hit particularly hard,” says L.A. County Health Services Director Emily Sun. “Many hospitals are at a breaking point and must grapple with difficult decisions regarding patient care.”
James emphasizes that the hospital has discharged nearly all patients who are not critically ill and can be treated on an outpatient basis. “I’ve worked in healthcare for 40 years, and I’ve never witnessed anything like this,” he remarks. Dr. Mark Thompson, Chief Medical Officer at L.A. County-USC, cautions that if there’s a surge following the holidays, the county could face a situation similar to what New York experienced in April.
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Summary:
Amid a COVID-19 surge, Los Angeles hospitals are repurposing gift shops and other unconventional spaces to accommodate the influx of patients. With ICU capacities stretched thin and the potential for rationing care looming, healthcare professionals are facing unprecedented challenges in delivering care.
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