Tuscaloosa Hospital System Hits Pandemic High For Ventilator Use

TUSCALOOSA, AL — DCH Health System on Thursday reported more coronavirus positive patients receiving treatment on ventilators than at any other time during the pandemic.

At present, DCH says 24 of its 34 ICU patients are being treated on ventilators, which tops highs not seen since the peak of the last surge in late December 2020 and January 2021.

When looking back at historical data throughout the pandemic, highs saw DCH reach roughly 20 patients on ventilators, before fluctuating and typically falling.

Click here to subscribe to our free Tuscaloosa Daily newsletter and breaking news alerts

What's more, the number of ICU patients is also at its highest point during the current fourth wave of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Most disturbing, though, is the rapid progression that has allowed the surge at present to inundate the hospital in a little more than a month, compared to the winter spike that crescendoed after a slow build that took all of the summer and fall.

The hospital's overall coronavirus inpatient total on Thursday came out to 152 — the most since late January — as DCH says roughly 90% are unvaccinated.

Patch reported earlier this week that DCH Health System has been actively converting standard patient rooms back to rooms with independent ventilation to accommodate coronavirus-positive patients, much in the same way it did during the peak of the previous surge in late 2020 that carried over into this year.

Patch has reached out to the hospital system for comment regarding its ventilator position, but, in a spot of positive news, DCH did tell Patch on Tuesday that it has more than 600 vaccination appointments scheduled for Friday at its remote site, after seeing weeks where demand dwindled to less than 100 appointments per session.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.