Pen Bay Health care Centre diverted ambulances to other hospitals for a brief time Monday evening as the hospital’s emergency department dealt with an very high quantity of sufferers, numerous with acute disorders.

This was an really unusual function, mentioned D. Mark Eggena, the main medical officer at PBMC. The event was so exceptional that the hospital does not know when this previous occurred.

The main health-related officer said it is not known irrespective of whether any sufferers had to be diverted but for a few-and-a-50 percent hours on July 12, the hospital knowledgeable Knox County Communications to have any ambulances  go possibly to Waldo County Standard Medical center or the Miles Campus and Hospital in Damariscotta.

Eggena noted that any patients who arrived at the crisis division on their have were being not turned absent.

The crisis office has 13 beds and there have been instances when sufferers will have to be housed in the hallways until eventually rooms turn into offered.

There have been about 40 clients in the crisis department Monday when the selection was designed to divert any more ambulances.

On a typical summer day, which are the busiest for the healthcare facility for the reason that of the influx of holidaymakers to the location, the crisis division sees 50 individuals during an whole working day. On July 12, 98 patients have been viewed. The individuals came for a wide variety of motives — such as motor vehicle mishaps and sicknesses.

None of the instances were being COVID-19 relevant, he mentioned.

But in addition to the extreme higher quantity of conditions, the individuals had much more acute situations, he reported. The quantities exceeded the beds but also stretched the staff.

Twelve folks have been admitted to the clinic which was an exceptionally higher amount for a single day, he mentioned.

Dr. Eggena mentioned he does not know why there have been so many patients at one particular time but claimed it could be a mixture of an enhance in holidaymakers as nicely as men and women keeping off obtaining health care treatment and remaining sicker when they come to a decision they will need to go to the medical center.

Other hospitals are also observing elevated demand in their crisis departments.

Pen Bay has long been scheduling for greater desire for urgent care companies.

On July 6, Pen Bay opened its Walk-In Treatment facility in the Bok Constructing at 22 White St. in Rockland. The facility is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. other than for Wednesdays, when it will be open up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patients can stroll-in or make an appointment by calling 301-6000.

Dr. Eggena mentioned the wander-in care facility was also chaotic Monday.

In addition to the new wander-in facility, the enlargement of Pen Bay’s crisis division has begun. The expansion will enhance the selection of crisis office beds from 13 to 25.

The enlargement is anticipated to be completed in November 2022. The characteristics of the enlargement will be the subsequent:

• In addition to the raise in the variety of exam rooms from 13 to 21, the quantity of triage rooms will go from a person to two.
• Tackle the developing desire for psychiatric and dependancy services by acquiring a specialized behavioral health and fitness suite, which include a few patient rooms, a patient’s lounge, a nurse’s station and a focused employees workspace.
• An added 5,000 square toes
• Room to house new technologies and clinical devices.
• Minimize client hold out moments and improves privateness for clients and visitors.
• Strengthen patient move.

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