Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says their health system is prepared to handle a potential influx of COVID-19 patients. Despite reports of hospitals lacking personal protective equipment and not enough respirators, Thomas says they are in good shape right now.
“We have several days of supply and we are working with multiple vendors in the region and in the country and outside of the country to identify more personal protective equipment,” said Thomas.
Thomas says they’ve already begun sourcing new beds to increase their capacity should a surge of patients arrive.
“We will be adding 100 new ICU beds over the next couple of weeks. We are looking at new bed capacity in Shreveport, we are looking at bed capacity in other regions, so we are prepared for this,” said Thomas.
Thomas says their estimates show the system can handle patients without being overloaded, assuming every Louisianan heeds the Governor’s call to for social distancing.
“We still don’t see everybody adhering to social distancing and staying home if they can stay home, and limiting their contact with other people, so that has been some concern,” said Thomas.
New Orleans is the only city in the state so far to mandate residents stay home unless they are heading to work an “essential” job, or are leaving for a “critical” need like groceries.
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