Butler Health System, and health systems/hospitals throughout the region
and all of Pennsylvania, continue to experience a growing number of Covid-19
cases. The numbers reflect increasing community spread of the Covid-19
virus. The number of cases is likely to continue to increase for the foreseeable
future. Citizens need to take every precaution to help to limit spread.
The increase in Covid-19 cases at BHS has set into motion the activation
phase 1 of BHS’s Surge Plan:
- Butler Memorial Hospital and Clarion Hospital are at capacity for critical
care, or ICU, beds.
- BMH Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) is being converted to critical care
use, adding 15 ICU beds.
- To make all types of beds as available as possible, BHS is suspending non-emergent,
elective surgeries and procedures that require an inpatient stay. Outpatient
procedures not requiring admission will continue to be performed.
- Nurses from various areas of the organization are being temporarily reassigned
to the areas of greatest need.
Staff and patient safety is BHS’s number one concern. The community
must do its part to prevent spread and to help keep all healthcare workers
healthy and available to care for those in need.
Do your part:
Wear a mask, wash your hands, avoiding gatherings, and staying home if
sick. This protects you, it reduces the risk of spread to healthcare workers
so that they may be available to provide care.