Cogdell Memorial Hospital shutters Coronavirus Unit

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Cogdell Memorial Hospital officials announced Wednesday they had closed the hospital’s Coronavirus Unit (CVU) due to a staffing shortage in the hospital’s Medical/Surgical Unit. 

“We had a situation where we really could not take the staff for the CVU, especially with medical staff and administration, so at this time during MedStaff yesterday, it was discussed and decided to close the unit,” said Chief of Nursing Kathy Goodwin. “The patients that need to be hospitalized, that are positive or presumed, can be transferred. Right now, our tertiary centers are able to take those patients. They want those patients. So it’s really a better place for them.”

Goodwin was updating hospital board members during their Wednesday meeting.

COVID-19 patients who don’t need to be hospitalized will still be treated at Cogdell, Goodwin said. The CVU will remain available and can be re-opened in the event of a COVID-19 surge, she said.

In other business, the board approved the credentialing for six medical personnel new to Cogdell and one re-appointment. The new appointments included Nancy Chandler, MD of Lubbock Radiology; walk-in Imre Kocsis, DO; walk-in Indira Mikiel, MD; David Bass, MD of Direct Radiology; Peter Ruess, MD of Direct Radiology; and Michael Gouvion, MD of Lubbock Radiology. The re-appointment was for Paul Manson, MD in the emergency department.

The board tabled presentation of the district’s 2019 audit until next month’s meeting.

Board members ratified a resolution approving a $17,273 grant application and named Courtney Garcia as the official contact for the hospital to become a sexual forensic exam ready facility.

The board approved several new and updated documents, policies and forms, including a travel restriction policy for Cogdell Memorial Hospital staff; a COVID-19 visitation policy; and a staffing incentive in the form of a critical vacancy bonus for the hospital.

Cogdell’s Chief Financial Officer John Everett reported that the hospital experienced a $281,000 loss in May due to lower-than-usual volume of service in April. 

Everett also reported that the hospital is being cautious with its COVID-19-related government funding.

He said Congress should determine within a couple of weeks whether Medicare funds the hospital received will require repayment. The hospital should receive word on whether the Payroll Protection Act and the stimulus will require repayment later this year.