By Donna Boatright Jennifer Liedtke | 24 June 2020
Opinion
Source: The New York Times
In Texas, 6 Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients Would Overwhelm This Hospital
A rural hospital in Texas braces for an outbreak while trying to stave off financial ruin.
Video by Alexander Stockton
With cases in Texas on the rise, a rural hospital braces for an outbreak while trying to stave off financial ruin.
As coronavirus cases surge in Texas and other Sun Belt states, rural hospitals are enduring a uniquely painful emergency of their own, in a world away from the I.C.U.s of New York City, or even Dallas.
With just two ventilators, Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater, Texas, has been terrified of Covid-19 ever since March. Sweetwater, perhaps best known as the home of the “World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup,” has a population of about 10,000. Even the slightest outbreak would overwhelm Rolling Plains, which sits on a major highway that carries tens of thousands of travelers a day.
Rural hospitals in America have been fighting for survival for years, mostly because of their relatively high numbers of uninsured patients. Approximately 130 rural hospitals in America have closed over the past decade, leaving millions of Americans without health care nearby. Texas has had more hospital closures than any other state. And the pandemic, by forcing providers to cancel elective procedures with high insurance reimbursement rates, has pushed many of its remaining hospitals to the brink of bankruptcy.
We spent several months with the staff of Rolling Plains as it fought off Covid-induced financial ruin before treating a single Covid patient. Then, in late April, Gov. Greg Abbott reopened the state, giving the hospital a financial lifeline, but also causing cases to spike statewide. And now, the hospital’s worst fears seemed to be coming true.
By Friday, Sweetwater’s county had 10 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with one requiring intensive care. This video Op-Ed, featuring the staff at Rolling Plains, shows how even just a few coronavirus cases can threaten a hospital, its workers’ families, and an entire rural community.
Donna Boatright is the former chief executive officer of Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital. She retired on June 12.
Jennifer Liedtke is a family physician at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
12 comentarios en “In Texas, 6 Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients Would Overwhelm This Hospital”
There is certainly a lot to know about this issue. I really like all the points you made. Sallie Matthias Estele
Thanks you! We are glad to hear that.
Good post. I will be going through many of these issues as
well..
We are a gaggle of
volunteers and starting a new scheme in our
community.
Your website provided us with valuable information to
work on. you’ve done an impressive
job and our entire community will likely be
thankful to you.
It’s truly
very complex in this full of activity life to listen news on
Television, therefore I just use
the web for that purpose, and get the latest news.
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog
post or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each
other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the
way!
Many thanks for sharing this short article. I am waiting for your next writing.
I do not even know the way I finished up right here, however I believed this
submit was once great. I don’t know who you’re but definitely you’re going to a
famous blogger if you happen to are not already.
Cheers!
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Best wishes!
Where are your contact details though?
Please Fill it out the form and we will attend you request soon.
Thank you
bookmarked!!, I really like your blog!