Medical Report
Hospitals adjust to seasonal patient increase
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Notice a little more traffic on the roads lately? It's not your imagination, it's season. The roads aren't the only place you could see delays as our seasonal visitors return. At Cape Coral Hospital, season brings 25% more patients. That number ke Video by fox4now.com
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Notice a little more traffic on the roads lately? It's not your imagination, it's season. The roads aren't the only place you could see delays as our seasonal visitors return.
At Cape Coral Hospital, season brings 25% more patients. That number keeps growing. There is nothing to do but make more room.
A new wing is the hospital's answer to a growing mathematical problem. Too many patients and not enough beds.
Where would the hospital be if there wasn't the option to expand?
"We would be overflowing," said Vice President of Patient Care Services Wendy Piascik. "Patients would be waiting extremely long periods of time in the emergency department."
This time of year, the hospital and others in the area see more patients than ever because of season.
Piascik says it's hectic having everyone come into town at once.
"We have been unfortunately been holding patients in our emergency room," she said. "We are hoping that these beds when they become available will help expedite that flow through the emergency department."
24 new beds will be available starting December 3rd. By the first of the year, January 7th, 18 more will be available. Depending on demand, these 42 extra beds could in the future become a more permanent fixture. Next season, the number of available beds will be doubled to 85.
You may be wondering with all of the extra patients, who is taking care of them? Seasonal doctors who come down during this time of year.
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