August: SMH Faces Unprecedented COVID-19 Surge

After COVID-19 patient volumes fell to the single digits in June 2021, Sarasota Memorial experienced a rapid and massive influx of patients starting in July and continuing through September as a result of the Delta variant.

The organization’s surge plans were once again put to the test as the number of COVID-19 patients climbed rapidly each day. The COVID-19 daily census reached a peak of more than 300 patients in late August, which was far higher than ever before.

With the critical care census regularly exceeding 100 patients — well above the capacity of the hospital’s 62-bed ICU — SMH temporarily opened ICU beds in other locations throughout the facility, including surgical areas. Most non-emergent surgeries were suspended for several weeks. Additional equipment, ventilators, PPE and other critical supplies were brought in from every available source. A Labor Pool helped deploy staff to areas of need.

To help reduce transmission, most in-person patient visitation was paused, except for patients in certain extraordinary circumstances, including end-of-life situations. Virtual visits were regularly arranged. Telehealth and remote monitoring initiatives also were ramped up as much as possible.

All told, Sarasota Memorial treated more than 1,800 COVID-19 patients during the July – September surge, compared to just over 500 patients during the 2020 summer surge. The COVID-19 census began to stabilize in late September 2021, and non-emergent surgeries and visitation resumed as ICU and overall patient volumes decreased.

Sarasota Memorial Summer COVID-19 Surge Statistics:

Later in August, SMH announced an incentive program that offered special appreciation payments for staff who were fully vaccinated by Oct. 1, 2021. To date, about 85 percent of employees had gotten the COVID-19 shot.