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strengthen the Core
Sepsis Mortality (deaths): Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening
condition caused by the body 's response to an infection. Rapid
identification and treatment can significantly improve the chances
of patient survival. Both ministries continue to be at or below the
expected mortality rate for patients with sepsis.
Safety for our Community and
Caregivers
Both medical centers were well-prepared for the of COVID-19
pandemic that started in March as we prepared to expand normal
capacity by an additional 40%. Our strategies provided for increased
bed capacity that included staff (physicians, nurses, respirator y
therapists), ICU beds, ventilators, and PPE. We also received new
equipment to support rapid testing for COVID-19.
We ended the year caring for nearly 280 COVID-19 patients in our
ministries each day. This was in addition to our normal volume of
inpatients which stretched both South Bay ministries to volumes
never seen before. Nevertheless, we were able to safely manage
the pandemic surge and treat members of our community with the
same level of expertise, compassion, and caring we always provide.
Dr. Anita Sircar dons PPE to see COVID-19 patients.
We continue to provide the safest, most effective care for our
patients with COVID-19. With expertise led by Anita Sircar, MD, an
infectious disease physician that worked with the CDC during the
Ebola outbreak, along with our ICU intensivists and hospitalists, we
have stayed on the forefront of treatment for our COVID-19 patients.
Here are some of the things we have done to ensure the safety of
our community and caregivers during the pandemic:
• Screenings
» Ever yone entering our medical centers are screened for
symptoms
• Anyone with fever is not allowed to enter unless seeking
medical care
• Caregivers who develop symptoms are immediately sent home
» Masks are provided to ever yone entering the facility