Pandemic causes pediatric patient transfers at BAMC
With a rise in COVID cases, units like the Critical Care Air Transport team will assist by moving pediatric patients safely to children s hospitals.
Credit: 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
A 59th Medical Wing Pediatric Critical Care Air Transport Team provides care to a five-month-old patient on board a C-17 Globemaster III headed to California, Oct. 9, 2020. The patient and his family were traveling from the neonatal intensive care unit in Hawaii to Texas. (Courtesy photo) Author: Luke Simons Updated: 9:09 AM CST January 11, 2021
SAN ANTONIO As the number of COVID-19 patients in area hospitals rise, Brooke Army Medical Center has made the decision to transfer new pediatric patients needing inpatient care to local children s hospitals.
In an effort to preserve staffing and resources in the midst of the pandemic, the Brooke Army Medical Center has announced it will transfer new pediatric patients needing inpatient care to local children’s hospitals at this time.
MSK IPU opens at Moreno Clinic Photo By Daniel J. Calderón | Air Force Col. Patrick Osborn, Deputy Commander for Surgical Services at Brooke Army.. read moreread more Photo By Daniel J. Calderón | Air Force Col. Patrick Osborn, Deputy Commander for Surgical Services at Brooke Army Medical Center; Air Force Maj. Gen John DeGoes, the Chief Executive Officer for the San Antonio Military Health System; Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby, the commanding General for BAMC; and Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew R. Schmitz, Chair of the Department of Orthapaedics at BAMC, cut the ribbon Dec. 16 at the new Musculoskeletal Integrated Practice Unit at the Jennifer Moreno Clinic on Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston. The unit is a one-stop shop for active duty service members and beneficiary patients who come in with a variety of musculoskeletal issues.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the nation, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas is bracing for the impact of the coming winter months as colder weather drives people indoors where the virus is more likely to spread.
Equipped with lessons learned, BAMC is preparing to shift resources and personnel to ensure hospital readiness in the event of a patient increase. On the preventive front, leaders continue to underscore the importance of safety measures such as hand washing, face coverings, personal protective equipment and physical distancing. The ability to remain flexible and agile, while ensuring the delivery of safe, high quality care, has been vital since the start of the pandemic, Army Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby, BAMC commanding general, noted. Nearly a year ago, the San Antonio Military Health System moved out quickly to ensure the safety of our patients and staff, and we continue, as a system, to do everything possible to preserve their health and wellbeing.