Pandemic Finances
The coronavirus pandemic has cost the Butler Health System $40.5 million.
Dr. John Love, the health system's medical director of infectious disease, and Dr. David Rottinghaus, chief medical officer and an emergency medicine physician at Butler Memorial Hospital, updated county commissioners Wednesday on the health system since the coronavirus struck in March, which includes expanded COVID-19 testing.
Rottinghaus said while doctors were able to make decisions without bureaucratic interference because the health system is independent, the coronavirus was hard on its finances.
“Massive expenses were incurred,” he said.
Commissioners on Wednesday approved a $767,000 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grant for the health system.
Commissioner Kim Geyer said having the increased testing capabilities will allow the county to more quickly return to normal and schools to remain open.
Rottinghaus said although the hospital did not see the 30% admission rate and 5% mortality rate projected at the beginning of the virus, the health system spent $10.5 million modifying offices and procedures to adhere to accepted safety protocols.
Ceasing elective procedures March 17, which were restarted at 50% capacity May 4 and at 100% a week later, cost the health system $30 million, Rottinghaus said.
Other expenses were incurred in reconfiguring hospital operations, adjusting the flow of people in and out of the hospital, adding isolation rooms, and revamping several floors in the hospital to keep COVID-19 patients from other patients.
Rottinghaus asked for commissioners' support in expanding COVID-19 testing within the health system and beyond.
He said hospital officials want to add air scrubbers to prevent the airborne spread of COVID-19 and add multiple locations for testing where the scrubbers would be used.
Rottinghaus said about 10 doctors' offices will be outfitted with testing facilities in the coming weeks, and more than 30 physicians' offices throughout the county eventually will have that capacity.
In addition to the traditional PCR nasal swab test for COVID-19, an antigen test that gives almost immediate results for COVID-19 and other viruses has been added to the health system's capabilities, he said.
Love said the antigen tests, which are used on patients who are acutely ill with COVID-19, will be added at BHS FasterCare facilities and many doctors' offices, so sick patients can visit their physician for COVID-19 treatment instead of coming to the BMH emergency department.
“It really facilitates our community having a better grasp on this (virus),” Love said.
He said the cost for the instruments and trained employees to carry out the remote antigen tests will be about $200,000.
The antigen tests can also be used to detect other conditions, such as MRSA and a dangerous type of infection known as “C. diff,” so the tests will continue to be used after the coronavirus pandemic is no longer a threat.
“We are using COVID money that will outlive the COVID pandemic,” Love said.
