Dickinson Hospital Beds
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| Brian Howell |
| 11/17/2009 |
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| Like most hospitals across the state, St. Joseph`s hospital in Dickinson has been treating patients with H-1-N-1 and seasonal flu. But unlike other hospitals, it`s also had to turn away some patients because there aren`t enough beds there. But, that`s changing. Facing financial ruin, St. Joseph`s hospital in Dickinson was forced to cut their bed limit nearly in half when it was designated a critical access facility. For patients, this meant possibly being diverted to other hospitals when it`s 25 beds were full. But now, patients don`t have to worry, according to the hospital`s president. The hospital just received a waiver from the federal government, allowing it to add additional bed space and keep patients beyond the 96 hour limit. "For us to obtain this waiver is huge. We`re able to care for those people, and without having to say, well, we can`t put you here, so go down the highway," said Reed Reyman, the hospital`s president and ceo. The timing couldn`t be more perfect, with an influenza surge predicted for early December. Because of the waiver, for every patient that comes in with influenza symptoms, the hospital is allowed to open-up another bed. Because of the availability of beds, other North Dakota hospitals are following St. Joseph`s lead. "Right after we received a waiver, I did get requests from other hospitals in the state to explain how we accomplished to get a waiver. I had an information session with the other hospitals on how to accomplish that," said Reyman. President Obama, declaring this flu season a pandemic, opened the door for many hospitals to receive extra beds. |
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