Patient overflow is set up at county rodeo grounds

“We’re ready if we need it”

by Mark Reaman

Some people referred to it as the “rubber room” in the Fred Field Western Heritage Center at the rodeo grounds because of the rubber flooring.

That moniker can no longer stick since the county pulled up tens of thousands of rubber bricks to expose concrete with in-floor heat. The massive room has now been organized to handle Gunnison Valley Hospital overflow in the event of a patient surge from the coronavirus.

At the moment, about 10 beds have been set up between partitions. There is space for medical equipment and caregivers in each open-air cubby. The idea is that if the hospital encounters a surge of COVID-19 patients, those with other ailments and health needs would be brought here.

“We looked at the Gunnison Recreation Center and at this space,” explained Gunnison Valley Health chief nursing officer Andrew Bertapelle. “The Fred Field space allows for easier development of a ‘negative pressure room,’ so it keeps air flow running out of the building. That’s why we chose it. Plus, this has always been considered one of the alternative care sites in a disaster scenario.”

Bertapelle emphasized the mantra of planning for the worst and hoping for the best. He doesn’t want to have any patients brought to the rodeo grounds, but he is ready if they are.

“The plan calls for putting patients with non-COVID symptoms here,” he said. “The respiratory patients with coronavirus need oxygen and that is much easier to provide at the hospital. Monitoring is much easier at the hospital. That is the initial plan anyway but, as we have seen, everything can change quickly. We are preparing for whatever happens.”

The space is huge and would allow an ambulance to drop off patients at the north end of the building through a garage door. That is where check-in would take place. Work stations for the staff are up and minimal. “It’s like a fleet hospital in the navy,” said the former Navy Nurse Corps Lieutenant.

A transition tent has been set up between the patient overflow area and the main section of the Fred Field facility. The south side is where staff and supplies are located. Emergency supplies had been stored in trailers in the event of a disaster. Things like disposable diapers, cots, bedding and medical supplies are now lined up against the walls. Supplies can be augmented as they are used. There is also a kitchen available in the building if needed.

“In the event of a crazy surge, we could cook meals here,” said Bertapelle. “But if we are only caring for, say, 10 patients, we will have food delivered from the hospital. I operate under the idea that we’re not going to use it. That’s the goal. But we are ready if we need it. We know what we have and are ready to rock-and-roll down the road.”

As for staffing, Bertapelle said GVH has been in contact with all the private medical provider offices in the county and they have committed to step up if the need arises. “It’s a real community effort,” he said.

The state sent the county’s incident command team a 10-nurse strike team last week and Bertapelle said they will be assigned various jobs. They have already helped in the call center, at the senior care facility and at COVID-19 screening sites. “We are following the need where it arises. We are now moving forward with the surge plan.”

Hospital administration told the Gunnison County commissioners last Tuesday that based on data and projected numbers, the state expects a surge in coronavirus cases by mid-April. While Denver is expected to be hit hardest, the disease will impact the entire state.

Currently there are ICU beds available at other Western Slope hospitals, and critical patients from Gunnison County have been sent to them. If those beds fill up, however, the transfer of patients will be problematic. Bertapelle said GVH has received additional ventilators that were ordered and now have enough to support 10 patients.

“The community following the health orders has really had a positive impact,” Bertapelle said. “We all need to stay vigilant to stop the spread of this virus. We have seen some critical cases in the county. We know there are more in the vulnerable population who will be impacted. But the community is doing a good job in evening out the situation. No matter what happens in the next few weeks, we are prepared. Again, we plan for the worst and hope for the best.”