The University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital is getting help from the National Disaster Medical System to deal with rising cases of respiratory infections.
“Pediatrics can be one of the most vulnerable populations during a disaster and having this team is really beneficial to be able to lessen that impact on the pediatric population,” Paul Decerbo, a team lead with NDMS, told KRQE.
The UNMCH has been operating at more than 100% capacity for weeks dealing with victims of the flu, RSV and COVID. Federal assistance arrived in the form of 14 people from across the country. The team, according to KRQE, includes a leader, administrative specialist, medical officer, nurse practitioner, four registered nurses, four paramedics and two respiratory therapists.
The team will be working alongside staff at the children’s hospital for two weeks. The rise in respiratory illnesses created a tridemic, forcing the hospital to operate at 118% capacity. A triage center was set up outside, and beds were placed anywhere there was space.
An overwhelmed staff is grateful for the federal help.
“Everybody wants them, every health system across the country is applying for these teams because they are such a tremendous resource, and UNM hospital feels extremely grateful that this team is in place,” UNMH spokesperson Chris Ramirez told KRQE.
After two weeks, the hospital will reevaluate its next steps.
