Mayo Clinic CEO: 'Every day that goes by, the more prepared we are'
Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia said Wednesday that the Rochester-based health system is ready to handle a potential influx of patients seeking care for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
“Every day that goes by, the more prepared we are, and at this point we are prepared,” Farrugia said in a national interview with CNBC.
Farrugia said Mayo, like other hospitals, has gone through similar preparations before for outbreaks such as Ebola and SARS.
He acknowledged, however, there are limits — in staffing, beds and technology — that could complicate the country’s response to the pandemic. The virus has now spread to all 50 states.
“It all depends on how seriously the population takes social distancing,” said Farrugia. “That is what will determine how many hospital beds we need; and about a tenth of them are ICU beds. And those tend to be ones … yes, we can make more — we have ways of increasing hospital capacity — but that’s a limit that’s pretty hard to exponentially increase.”
As we reported Tuesday, Mayo will be suspending all elective care for eight weeks in an effort to free up resources and personnel. It has also begun setting up a second medical testing site outside of its downtown campus.
Video via CNBC / YouTube
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota now stands at 77 (six in Olmsted County) — though with limited testing available, state health officials believe the total to be significantly higher.
In response to the nationwide shortage of testing kits, the Minnesota Department of Health has announced new guidelines for determining who should be tested. Hospitalized patients, healthcare workers, and those who live in congregate settings such as nursing homes will be given top priority.
Individuals who have suspected or known cases of COVID-19, but are not severely ill, are now being asked to manage their symptoms at home.
According to Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of Mayo Clinic's Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, that means drinking plenty of fluids and taking a fever-reducing medication. If symptoms intensify, he advises calling your health care provider, local hospital or clinic.
"It really is important to emphasize that, unless is it a medical emergency, you should not go in to the hospital or visit your health care provider without at least calling first," said Dr. Cowl, via Mayo’s News Network. "By calling first, you can avoid exposing yourself and others to the virus. And you can help prevent an overflow situation at the medical facility."
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
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