Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center over capacity amid staffing shortages, surge in respiratory viruses
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center has been operating at 110% of its capacity for several weeks amid a surge of respiratory viruses and short staffing, and as it continues to be difficult to discharge patients to lower levels of care, such as nursing homes.
As a result, DHMC has been boarding patients in its emergency department and perioperative areas, typically used to prepare patients for surgery, Dr. Colin Stack, medical director of the capacity coordination center at DHMC, said in an emailed statement last week.
“As we continue to help more patients with fewer available spaces, some patients are experiencing longer wait times and delays in scheduling appointments and procedures,” Stack said.