Florida health care workers feeling strain of coronavirus surge

As Florida’s coronavirus cases break national records, health workers say they’re feeling the strain. While most hospitals still have room to take in more patients, some doctors and nurses say they’re being pushed to their limits. Emergency department staff have been dealing with these issues for months. And Dr. Angus Jameson, who works at Tampa General Hospital and is medical director of Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services, said it’s getting worse. [Source: WMFE]

See also:
» Miami medical teams feel helpless as COVID-19 devastates South Florida
» Seventeen anesthesiologist residents, fellow at university hospital system contract virus after private party

Rapid testing aid coming to Florida nursing homes, but concerns remain

Florida nursing homes will receive rapid coronavirus testing machines from the federal government. The Department of Health and Human Services announced earlier this month it will send machines to every skilled nursing facility in the country. But long-term care providers still have a lot of questions about when they will get their machines and how they will be able to manage routine testing. [Source: WUSF]

Coronavirus in Florida: Interactive map shows hospital ICU bed capacity

Medical experts say intensive care unit bed availability is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak. The State of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration has a database that tracks how many ICU beds are available in each county. According to the database, there are a total of 6,195 total adult ICU beds available across the state of Florida. [Source: WPBF]

Child hospitalizations from Covid-19 surge 23% in Florida as schools statewide must reopen

Just weeks before schools must open across Florida, the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations due to Covid-19 have surged. On July 16, the state had a total of 23,170 children ages 17 and under who had tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the Florida Department of Health. By July 24, that number jumped to 31,150. That's a 34% increase in new cases among children in eight days. [Source: CNN Health]

Florida hospitals using free lodging, meals to compete for staff

Competing with each other and with the state, hospitals are luring nurses from as far away as Alaska with hazard pay, and free lodging and meals. The mission for these medical professionals is vital: relieve burned-out hospital staff, provide needy coronavirus patients with round-the-clock attention, and fill in for workers exposed to the virus who have to quarantine at home. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Becker's Hospital Review.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Boca Raton Regional Hospital first in Palm Beach County to receive nationally recognized comprehensive stroke center certification [Florida Trend]
Boca Raton Regional Hospital is the first hospital in Palm Beach County to receive certification from a nationally recognized certifying organization, DNV GL Healthcare, as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events.

› Florida TV reporter credits viewer with noticing cancerous lump on her neck [Click Orlando]
A television news reporter in Florida is crediting an eagle-eyed viewer for noticing a lump on her neck and emailing her that she should get it checked out. Victoria Price, a reporter for WFLA in Tampa, followed the advice and was diagnosed with cancer. Price tweeted that she is undergoing surgery to remove the tumor, her thyroid and a couple of lymph nodes.

› Tampa General Hospital is first in nation to receive dual recognition for key maternal health programs [Florida Trend]
Tampa General Hospital is first in the nation to receive dual recognition for two key maternal health programs, providing women advanced services when it comes to labor and delivery. The Maternal Safety Foundation has recognized Tampa General Hospital as a Maternal Center of Excellence in both areas.

› Meridian Behavioral Healthcare and Alachua Sheriff’s Office form mental health co-responder team [WUFT]
At the end of June, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc. and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office announced a new mental health co-responder team: Meridian Clinical Specialist Briana Kelley and Deputy Sheriff Daniel Maynard. “We’re not just there to be a quick fix Band-Aid,” Maynard said. “We’re there to see if we can provide long-term services, whether they’re needed for the family or the homeless person.”