Bay Area Hospital (BAH) is the latest local hospital, along with other health centers across the state, to take additional measures to reduce access because of capacity levels. CEO Brian Moore says the hospital is reaching capacity because of staffing constraints even before they will run out of physical beds. However, there have been increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients. There has also been some difficulty in transferring patients who need higher levels of care to those facilities that can provide that around the state. Because of this, the hospital has restricted visitors in the Emergency Room with some exceptions for minors, people with disabilities, and special circumstances. Moore says they will likely further restrict visitors in the Intermediate Care Unit and ICU next week. With the increase of COVID-19 patients, the restrictions will allow the limited BAH staff to focus time and attention on direct patient care. Moore indicated prevention tools such as the vaccine have proven to be safe, effective, and a direct prevention tool in the surge they are experiencing at this time. Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center reduced visitation to the hospital earlier this week.
