Gastonia, N.C.-based CaroMont Regional Medical Center is seeing a record number of acutely ill patients through its emergency department who require admission — and if patient volume increases further, the hospital may begin rescheduling elective surgeries, reports The Gaston Gazette.
The rise in patients needing overnight attention has prompted CaroMont Health, the parent of CaroMont Regional, to increase staffing levels in the ED and upper hospital floors.
While the hospital is not actively rescheduling surgeries, CaroMont's Executive Vice President and CMO Todd Davis, MD, warns that if things worsen, the hospital may begin rescheduling nonemergency surgeries.
"We are monitoring patient volume and flow in the hospital and working with our medical staff leadership to consider all options," Dr. Davis told The Gazette, noting the potential move to reschedule surgeries will be necessary to ensure the hospital is "prepared to admit and treat these very sick patients."
CaroMont Health President and CEO Chris Peek told board members Tuesday the CaroMont Regional had just seven available beds, all of which were in the adolescent psychiatric unit.
"We currently have multiple patients in surgery, as well as a significant number of holds in the emergency department," Mr. Peek said, according to The Gazette.
Mr. Peek emphasized the increased volume is not just a result of the flu and reiterated the hospital is only considering delaying surgeries for patients if it would be safe to reschedule.