As cases surge, hospitals pause elective surgeries
Concerns about surging COVID-19 hospitalizations have prompted Cheshire Medical Center in Keene to join the list of hospitals postponing some elective surgeries, pleading with patients to avoid the emergency room if possible, or begging people to get vaccines and boosters.
The state has fewer available hospital beds now than it has ever had during the pandemic, according to the states COVID-19 dashboard. Monday also set a new record for hospitalizations: 343, just over the prior record of 334 in January.
In explaining the decision Friday to postpone some elective surgeries, Cheshire Medical Center spokesman Matthew Barone said it is critical the hospital keep beds free for not only its patients but also those from other hospitals at capacity.
Based on current numbers and predictive modeling trends, the current challenges may worsen, he said in a release. All hospitals in New Hampshire and New England are experiencing these same capacity challenges in inpatient volumes and staffing.
Read more: https://www.concordmonitor.com/With-COVID-19-cases-surging-some-hospitals-pause-elective-surgeries-43695670