Is Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center ready for a possible influx of patients? We spoke with Officials with the Hospital about wait times for the Emergency Department and if they feel prepared for what could be coming.
There’s already concerns of wait times at the Emergency Department at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, and now Officials with Conemaugh say they expect more Patients. This comes after UPMC in Altoona announced it will soon be moving down to a level three trauma center, making Conemaugh Medical Center the only level one or two trauma center in an over 200 mile span from Pittsburgh to Hershey.
At a Trauma and Emergency Summit bringing Conemaugh Doctors and Officials together, we asked them if Conemaugh is ready. Shawna Morrissey, a Trauma Surgeon saying: “As a level one trauma center these are the things that we do prepare for, so that is good. We know that we’re going to have a higher increase of patient volume.” Rodney Reider, the CEO of CMMC saying: “If we do have an influx of a greater number, we’re ready. We’re always ready. We have the best specialists on-call 24/7, trauma surgeons, every specialist that you can think of, they’re always ready 24/7.”
This comes with some Patients already showing concerns about time to wait to get treatment at the ER, and some treatment or tests potentially being done in the waiting room. An Emergency Room Doctor says lower staffing since COVID-19 plays a role in that. Emergency Room Doctor David Delnegro saying: “It could take you two hours to get to a room, but if I’ve given you your antibiotic, or I’ve given you your bloodwork, got your EKG and whatnot, we could at least start that work up so that when you see your doctor you’re ready to go wherever that may be. The hospital, another facility, or to go home.”
Officials add that over 100 Nurses have been hired recently. Conemaugh Officials say they plan on keeping up with the demand of more staff and more equipment into the future.
