With the increased number of hospitalizations arising from the surge in COVID-19 cases in the CNMI and with the Commonwealth Health Center being a small hospital with only 76 beds, one of the concerns is for those with non-COVID issues, according to Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther L. Mu\u00f1a.<\/p>\n
Speaking before the House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee Tuesday, Mu\u00f1a said there are a lot of non-COVID issues so it\u2019s been a struggle for CHCC because CHC is not a big hospital.<\/p>\n
She said they started operating a COVID-19 unit at the hospital with only four bed. Then it increased to eight and then 12 beds. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt just keeps expanding and that means that we have to start reducing some of the beds that we\u2019re utilizing for non-COVID patients,\u201d Mu\u00f1a said.<\/p>\n
She said they thought about transferring and opening the Transitional Living Center so see how they can move patients from the psychiatric ward. She said this was in consultation with psychiatrists to ensure that the transition is done in the right way, meeting compliance, and making sure that the patients and families were informed. They, however, did not proceed with that plan as there are certain things that had to be met to ensure compliance, and that it would also require a lot of movement.<\/p>\n
Muna said at the Alternate Care Site, they have patients who have to be put on observation because they are COVID-19 patients. That means CHCC has to split its resources between the hospital and ACS. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve managed to use our other programs to help out, whether in logistics, communications, anywhere they can help basically make sure that we provide support for the medical staff,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Mu\u00f1a said that, with the change in contact tracing protocols, they\u2019re more attentive to patients\u2019 needs. <\/p>\n
Before, when someone\u2019s positive with COVID-19, CHCC\u2019s immediate action was to put that person in quarantine and isolated at a government site. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat was changed with the cases increasing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Muna said everyone at CHCC is exhausted but they will continue to do what they can. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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