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The field hospital is designed as a unit within the hospital with the same staffing ratio, equipment and supplies. The large tented structure will be housed in the hospital’s north parking lot and give NWH the ability to care for approximately 30- 40 additional patients in a safe environment, with direct oversight.
According to NWH executive director Derek Anderson, the hospital currently has capacity for COVID-19 patients on its inpatient and intensive care units, and will fill every possible bed inside the hospital before using beds in the field hospital.
“We recognize the sight of a field hospital on our grounds may be jarring for the community, but our hope is that it sends a reassuring message of preparation,” said Anderson. “The reality is that there is an ongoing need for more hospital beds to treat COVID-positive patients in both New York State and our community.
""We hope we will never need to use the field hospital, but its existence is part of our ongoing commitment to provide the highest level of compassionate care for our community and support other hospitals in need.
"We are grateful to our dedicated physicians, nurses, and health care providers, as well as staff and administrators who have filled odd hour shifts, nontraditional roles and learned new skills to support our caregivers on the front lines.”
Since NWH treated its first patient with coronavirus four weeks ago, it has cared for over 176 hospitalized, COVID-19- positive patients and hundreds more who came through the Emergency Department.
It has discharged more than 74 patients who were hospitalized with the virus, and helped mothers, including some who are COVID positive, deliver healthy newborns.
NWH is also assisting colleagues at other Northwell hospitals, including Long Island Jewish Forest Hills and Valley Stream hospitals, which continue to see high surges.
“It is important to note,” added Anderson, “that Northern Westchester Hospital continues to have enough capacity for those in our immediate community, and is ready for any patient that may require a hospital bed.”
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