Climbing COVID-19 numbers in and around Cadiz have caused a flurry of concerns for Trigg County Hospital.
At the forefront of troubles comes a lack of spots for transfer. Should a patient need intensive, specialized treatment, Trigg County Hospital CEO John Sumner said either his facility will have to handle it as best as possible — or find another institution.
And at this moment, there aren’t any beds close by.
Because of the regional status of multiple hospitals, Sumner said he and his staff have called in more ambulance and emergency room support for the Labor Day weekend. Travel times for transfers have become exorbitant, Sumner said, and in order to have crews available and keep response times down for what may be a heavy-traffic weekend, Sumner added there weren’t many other options.
If that wasn’t enough immediate complications, the Trigg County Hospital board met in emergency session on Thursday — for the simple fact that its ultrasound machine has failed within the last three days.
Sumner needed the board to approve the purchase of a new unit now for a handful of reasons. Number one: other hospitals are so busy right now, that ultrasounds aren’t a priority. Number two, and it’s worth noting again, but Trigg County Hospital cannot transfer obstetrics and gynecological patients to anywhere else in western Kentucky because of backed-up hospitals.
And number three: Sumner said Trigg County Hospital and its clinics typically have anywhere between 80-to-100 procedures a month involving an ultrasound machine — meaning it’s a critical machine that, even in an emergency, is considered a necessary expense.
The approved purchase will cost the hospital $137,981.
According to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, more than 53 percent of Trigg County’s population 18 and older is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but that’s a number Sumner would like to see improve.
As it stands, Trigg County Hospital and its Primary Care testing site have been fielding full lines of those needing to be tested — nearly 40 a day for the last few weeks. Sumner said that it’s extremely likely another testing location will be opened next week at the former Save-On Drugs.
Citing recent completed studies and information now provided at kentucky.gov, Sumner said those vaccinated are 300 percent less likely to contract COVID-19, 800 percent less likely to develop severe symptoms from COVID-19, and 2,500 percent less likely to die from COVID-19.
Due to staffing issues related to COVID-19, Trigg County Hospital has canceled its blood drive originally scheduled for September 20. Primary Care will also be closed this Saturday through Monday due to COVID-19-related challenges.
