Sarasota Hospital Board provides transparency as COVID report shared with public
SARASOTA, Fla. (FLV) – The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board shared a report to the public that reviewed the care that Sarasota Memorial Health Care System provided throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board voted in November 2022 to conduct a review of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s COVID-19 policies throughout the pandemic, as well as the guidelines and references clinicians used in the treatment of COVID patients. It also reviewed strategies to manage staffing challenges and shortages of equipment, supplies, and medications.
Full Report here
The report noted that visitation restrictions at the hospital “took a heavy toll” on patients and their loved ones.
But it found that Sarasota memorial had lower complication rates and generally shorter lengths of stay than other hospitals.
The report found that the lack of testing sites led to extended hospital stays. It touted the hospital’s care for 70% or more of all COVID patients hospitalized in Sarasota County over the course of the pandemic.
“While the past few years tested the resilience and capabilities of our nation’s hospitals like never before, the Panel found that many of the innovations and on-the-fly adaptations Sarasota Memorial undertook during the pandemic were effective in managing a volley of unprecedented challenges and enabling the health system to care for the lion’s share (70%+) of COVID patients hospitalized in Sarasota County,” Sarasota Memorial Health Care System PIO Kim Savage said.
The hospital system lost $38 million in revenue and continues to face “significant financial challenges,” even after utilizing the CARES Act temporary relief loans.
The report said Sarasota Memorial’s mortality rates were lower than most hospitals in a specific database. It said guidance was updated regularly for COVID-19 treatments, therapeutics, and ventilation methods.
The report recommended the formation of a Health Emergency Response Committee to help the hospital effectively respond to public health events. It also included the development of health, post-hospital services and resources, and allowing staff to utilize technology such as iPads for families to communicate with loved ones.
Strengths highlighted in the report included:
- Sarasota Memorial precautions resulted in a lower COVID mortality rate
- Organizational flexibility and effective leadership
- Innovative management of testing, capacity, and supply and staffing
- COVID Treatment Task Force
- Providing up-to-date information, advice and education
- Adapted construction plans for new Venice hospital
Areas for improvement highlighted in report included:
- Hospital readmission rates higher than expected
- Limitations on communications and visitations took a major toll on patients and families
