Surge straining staff at BMH
While there are no plans among Butler Health System officials to limit elective surgeries or adjust the visitor policy at Butler Memorial Hospital, the current COVID-19 surge is causing stress.
“The biggest challenge now is dealing with staff who are sick with COVID or in quarantine,” said Dr. David Rottinghaus, chief medical officer.
Butler County saw three new deaths due to COVID-19 and added 283 new confirmed cases to its total of 24,757, based on data released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Since Dec. 29, Butler County has added 1,771 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, and seven county residents have died from its effects.
Rottinghaus said the current surge in cases and hospital admissions is the result of holiday gatherings over the past few weeks.
“Gathering and not social distancing lead inevitably to the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID,” Rottinghaus said. “Colder weather and being indoors also contributes.”
He said overall census numbers for all departments have increased at the health system, but especially in the area of COVID testing.“Outpatient testing numbers are trending up very quickly,” Rottinghaus said.Regarding patients being admitted to BMH for COVID-19 treatment, he said fewer — about 15% to 20% — are placed in the intensive care unit.Asked if those in the ICU are mainly unvaccinated, Rottinghaus offered a one-word answer.“Yes,” he said.While the health system has seen some increase in first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as boosters, vaccination rates have not risen alongside the surge numbers.“Not nearly as fast as we would like,” Rottinghaus said.He does not think the current surge is related to more testing becoming available compared to previous surges.“It is due to an incredibly transmissible and spreading virus that is infecting massive numbers of people,” Rottinghaus said.He said the most accurate COVID-19 test continues to be the PCR molecular test, which are the ones used at Butler Health System testing sites.“Home rapid antigen tests as well as quick antigen tests are the least accurate and reliable,” Rottinghaus said.He said the hospital is not testing for the variant present in positive tests, as a specialized laboratory is required for variant testing.Although a plethora of information on the internet recommends various vitamins and supplements for those who are sick at home with COVID-19, Rottinghaus said taking a multivitamin is acceptable.“Rest, hydrate and contact your physician to discuss possible therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies,” he said.
