U of Utah Hospital at 95% ICU capacity amid COVID-19 surge 

Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Hospital reached 95 percent capacity in its intensive care unit Oct. 8 amid a major COVID-19 surge in the state, reports The Salt Lake Tribune.

Advertisement

Utah reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases (1,501) and hospitalizations (237) Oct. 8. Statewide, 73 percent of ICU beds were occupied; the state’s goal is to keep this figure under 85 percent.  

“Our healthcare workers are tired, they’re suffering, and they don’t want to see another person die alone of a preventable infection,” Emily Spivak, MD, an infectious disease physician at University of Utah Health, said during an Oct. 8 news conference, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

As of the morning of Oct. 8, University of Utah Hospital’s intensive care unit was at 95 percent capacity, according to Dr. Spivak. She strongly urged Utah residents to wear masks to help control the virus’s spread in the state.

In the last week, 13.7 percent of COVID-19 tests have been positive in Utah. In early September, this figure hovered around 9 percent but steadily increased through the end of the month. 

View the full article here

More articles on patient flow:
Washington hospital resumes surgeries after 13-day pause
Kaiser to scale back services at Hawaii medical office, citing financial challenges
Patient shot at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in Public Health

Advertisement

Comments are closed.