UAB delays some elective surgeries as COVID cases rise



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As the number of people hospitalized for COVID continues to rise, some surgeries are being delayed at UAB Hospital to divert resources to critically ill patients, said Dr Sarah Nafziger, professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine.

The number of patients hospitalized for COVID at UAB reached an all-time high of 127 this week. So far, the hospital has had adequate beds to take care of everyone, but some staff and equipment have been relocated to support people with the virus. In some cases, that means delaying care for less urgent needs such as joint replacement, Nafziger said.

“What we have done in the last two weeks is we haven’t scheduled as much as we normally expected,” Nafziger said. “We just didn’t have the capacity to do it. We know what that means, it’s the patients who need care for different things, they have to be delayed. How long will they be delayed? I do not know.”

Some patients may need to wait much longer for treatment for painful but non-fatal conditions, Nafziger said.

“The sad reality is that we have few resources for everyone,” Nafziger said.

COVID-19 cases increased rapidly last week after a slow rise throughout the fall. The number of patients hospitalized statewide with coronavirus has reached new records several times this week and shows no signs of stopping. This is undermining hospital resources across Alabama and at UAB.

“The more COVID care is needed, the less we will be able to do of things we normally do,” Nafziger said. “For us, this is of particular concern because we know that UAB plays a unique role in the state. We are a level I trauma center. We are a STEMI center. We are a stroke center. We provide a lot of cancer care. We provide transplant care and many other sub-specialized services that may not be available at other facilities. “

Nafziger said the vaccines provide a silver lining, but Alabamians must continue to limit social gatherings and wear masks this winter.

“I beg the public to take this seriously,” Nafziger said. “Please wear your mask. Please social distancing. Wash your hands. Because we don’t want anyone to die of this disease without having to.

Nafziger said the statewide order for masks helped limit the spread of COVID-19. It will expire on December 11.

“I anticipate Governor Ivey will extend the order of masks and I hope and pray that she does,” Nafziger said. “I think this is the best measure we have to further prevent the spread of the disease and to try to bring this situation under control.”

If the mask order is not renewed, she urged people to continue wearing them. If cases continue to climb, it could create a situation where hospitals cannot properly manage all patients, Nafziger said.

“Am I worried that not only the UAB, but hospitals all over the state are overrun?” Nafziger said. “Yes, I am very worried.”

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