JPS Hospital in Fort Worth explores additional staff training to handle coronavirus surge
John Peter Smith Hospital said it is exploring additional training for staff and nursing students who would be able to help if the hospital experiences a surge of coronavirus patients.
In an email obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the hospital shared details with board members on how it is preparing for a potential surge.
The COVID-19 peak could hit Texas around May 2, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. The projections show that there are enough hospital beds statewide, but not enough ventilators. The projection estimates 4,150 deaths from COVID-19 in Texas by August.
Preparations at JPS include additional training, requesting additional supplies and using a surgical center in Arlington for patients who do not have COVID-19.
Hospital staffing and supplies
The email said that hospital staffing levels are “good.”
The hospital employees 7,200 people. Of those, 3,000 are nurses and 1,000 are physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners. There are 13 residency and fellowship programs that employ 330 residents and fellows.
Dallas County has asked for retired health care professionals to help if hospitals are overwhelmed. Diana Brodeur, a spokeswoman for JPS, said the hospital has not done that but it’s a possibility.
The hospital also reported that it is treating its staff members who have been infected with the virus. The hospital declined to say how many staff members are affected and what their conditions are.
The hospital has 68 ventilators that can be used between infants and adults. It is waiting for an order of about 16 and can convert about 27 anesthesia machines to ventilators if necessary.
“Our supply of ventilators is good for the volume of patients we are seeing now,” Brodeur said.
Testing
The hospital does not test for COVID-19. Doctors collect samples from patients and ships them to labs, which is creating a backlog of patients in the hospital.
Critically ill people must be kept in isolation until their test results come back, which creates added stresses on the system, the email said.
“JPS is working to obtain specific testing reagents that would allow us to perform onsite testing instead of sending samples out,” the email said.
As of Monday, the hospital has received results on 183 tests. Of those, 18 were positive. An additional 83 samples have been submitted for testing and results are pending.
Space for patients
The hospital has converted patient rooms to negative pressure rooms, making them suitable for patients who require airborne isolation.
Community help
Gov. Greg Abbott put a stop to all non-urgent visits and elective surgeries. JPS said patients with non-urgent needs are being served via telehealth.
The hospital is not accepting donations of fabric masks because it cannot ensure their safety. The hospital asks that anyone who wishes to help can made monetary donations to the JPS Foundation, which will cover equipment and staffing needs.
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 3:32 PM.
