Waiting at Cook County Hospital
Dan Winship said to the Board of Commissioners of Cook County on Oct 13, 2005,
Dr. Winship continued: During 2004 a daily average of 48 patients were waiting for beds. A review of 2004-2005 data indicates that medical surgical beds averaged 122% occupancy; the current planning standard for target occupancy – as well as the accepted standard for target occupancy in hospitals - is 85%. Based on existing conditions, there appears to be a need for approximately 100 additional medical surgical beds; this increase would accommodate the current average daily census of 279 at 85% occupancy in the major areas of medicine and surgery.Nothing is ever easy in Health Care but you wonder why they didn't talk any collaboration with University of Illinois Hospital here. What am I missing? Stroger and Blagojevich may have some opportunities here to improve care.
Dr. Winship further stated: The Surgery Department is postponing elective procedures due to lack of beds. The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit holds patients longer than necessary, and the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) cannot transfer patients who no longer need ICU care because of lack of beds. Additional growth and expected admissions in the Emergency Department as outlined in the master plan are expected to require 76 additional medical surgical beds for a total need of 176 additional medical surgical beds for the year 2015.
2 comments:
There were more empty beds within sight of the old Cook County Hospital than were built in the new structure.
There was no need to build it at all.
A little cooperation with neighboring hospitals is (and was) the most cost-effective solution to any perceived shortage of beds or inadequacy of facilities.
Of course, the Democrats would not get the same kind of patronage at the neighboring hospitals.
Uh, if they're having trouble at Stroger because they're aren't enough beds, then obviously there was a need for the new hospital.
And as far as building hospitals in this state, Republicans get their payday at the beginning instead of every two weeks, right?
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