The Peru Gazette

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the providers and staff of the UVM Health Network have worked together and adapted quickly as new challenges have arisen, so we can meet the most critical needs of our patients and keep your communities as safe as possible. I want to let you know that, this week, we are taking new steps in response to an increased number of patients needing acute inpatient care and COVID-19-related care throughout our region:

• In accordance with calls from Vermont state leaders for more intensive-care beds, we are standing up additional Intensive Care Unit and COVID-19 bed capacity at UVM Medical Center and Central Vermont Medical Center.
• At UVM Medical Center, we’re limiting surgical procedures to those with the most urgent clinical need through the end of the year. Priority will be given to patients requiring surgery for cancer, trauma, and other time-sensitive conditions that threaten life or limb.
• In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued an executive order allowing the state to limit non-essential/elective surgeries at facilities where staffed bed capacity is below 10%. This order takes effect Friday, and our affiliates in Elizabethtown, Malone and Plattsburgh are awaiting further guidance from the state as we evaluate potential impact to services there.

These are difficult decisions to make and to hear. We are working hard to mitigate the impact on our patients to the greatest extent possible; that includes asking insurance companies to hold harmless patients who had planned elective surgeries for the end of the calendar year because their deductible had been met. But these temporary measures we are taking are necessary to maintain access to emergency and acute care for all of our communities in Vermont and Northern New York, and to be ready if conditions change further. In addition to the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we continue to see unprecedented demand for hospital services, limited bed capacity and staffing challenges. Also, the impact of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 is unclear at this point. We are not alone: Hospitals across the country are dealing with these same issues, and having to take similar measures. Even as we have worked hard to improve access to outpatient and inpatient care, the actions we are taking unfortunately may have a negative impact on some aspects of patient access. But the reality of the current situation requires tough decisions and the repurposing of space and staff.

This may feel similar to the steps our health system took early in the pandemic, but it’s important to remember that this is not the same situation. We know a lot more about COVID-19, in terms of testing, treatment and slowing the spread. Widespread vaccination also has blunted the impact of this illness. These continue to be difficult and intensely challenging times, but we have the knowledge and the resources to respond swiftly and effectively as a health system.

I deeply appreciate your ongoing partnership, support and understanding, and I want to stress that all of us are in this together. The measures that we know are effective – following public health guidance on masking and gathering; getting tested as necessary; and getting your vaccinations and booster shots – are vital in our ongoing fight against COVID-19. Please help our health care providers by doing your part, and by encouraging your communities to do the same.

Thank you, and I will keep you updated.

John R. Brumsted, MD
President and CEO