Replies

To be honest, most hospitals in the US have been downsizing. I know of one local hospital that used to be rated for 452 beds that is now approaching capacity with 325 patients. Rooms have been converted into offices etc, with reverse airflow rooms not being used to the degree they used to be. I'm not even sure if the three they had are still opperable.

My region's health care facilities have been savaged by having to provide services with inadequate reimbursements. Now when the system is going to be needed, it's not going to be there to the degree it should be.

How well I know! You are absolutely right about the downsizing and capacity.

I'm guessing that there will be SARS facilities set up separate from regular hospitals (though I don't think it will keep SARS out of the hospitals). Another sobering read is the disinfection procedure required for ambulances, it will take longer than transporting the patients...

If there are outbreaks in the US this fall during the flu season, as many health authorities consider, the ability of hospitals to deliver critical care will be unmasked. The two small rural hospitals where I work would be overwhelmed in short order, with regular patients along with escalating numbers of SARS victims...