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May 7, 2020

YNHH: COVID admissions down; financial impact costly: 'losing $1.5 million a day'

Thomas Balcezak, MD, chief clinical officer with YNHH.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The number of patients with COVID-19 are down in the Yale New Haven Health system, officials reported Thursday.

“We have encouraging news: We have had a considerable decline in COVID admissions,” said Marna P. Borgstrom, CEO of YNHH, during a press conference with statewide media.

The health system has about 600 patients now, down from more than 700 a week ago, according to Borgstrom.

Thomas Balcezak, MD, chief clinical officer with YNHH, cautioned that the crisis isn’t over.

“We are not through with this — it is really important to continue with social distancing,” Balcezak said. “We have to be careful not to allow a second bump [in cases]. We want to remain vigilant and continue to wear masks in public.”

Borgstrom said she believes the region is past its peak in cases, but she noted there may be a rise in the fall. 

“Social distancing has been helpful in diminishing what could have been unimaginable demand,” Borgstrom said.

When asked if she is concerned about the state reopening for business, potentially meaning more infections, Borgstrom said, “We do expect to continue to see patients, and some will die.”

Continued social distancing, mask usage, adequate handwashing and testing are key, according to Borgstrom.

“We are losing $1.5 million a day because we are not doing elective procedures.”  - Marna Borgstrom, CEO.

Balcezak said the health system expects to ramp up testing for the virus. Next week, he anticipates the system will be conducting 3,000 tests per day, and by mid-summer, the hope is to do 20,000 daily tests, he said. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Ned Lamont reported that statewide, 30,995 residents had tested positive, 2,718 had died, and 1,445 were hospitalized. Of the statewide deaths, 1,596 victims were age 80 or older.

Balcezak said all patients coming in with COVID-19 have presented with a fever, about 70 percent have a cough, and half are experiencing extreme fatigue.

Financial challenges

Earlier this week, YNHH outlined the negative financial impacts of the coronavirus crisis in a report. 

YNHH has had to invest money to prepare and care for COVID-19 patients. Elective procedures have been postponed, and hospital officials nationwide have seen fewer patients seeking treatment for conditions such as stroke and heart attack.

“We are losing $1.5 million a day because we are not doing elective procedures,” Borgstrom said Thursday. “We are spending more and making less money.”

Even with state and federal assistance, YNHH expects to end its fiscal year with an operating loss, she said.

Christopher O’Connor, YNHH’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the health system has been performing emergency procedures. Soon, he said it will be ramping up much-needed procedures which had been postponed, such as for cancer patients. He anticipates more non-emergency procedures coming online the week of May 18, O’Connor said.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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