Dear Colleagues:
The issue of managing capacity is an ongoing challenge for us at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The positive news is that demand for our services continues to drive volume. However, that volume can, at times, put extraordinary pressure on our caregivers. The last few months have reinforced these pressures as we lost the service of 15 beds on the 15th floor , during the renovation of 9C in the Tower.
The overall goal of meeting the space requirements for the breadth and acuity of our patients will be addressed. During the month of December, 9C will reopen and the pressure on our ICU services will be partially alleviated. I want to offer my gratitude for those who found creative approaches to providing exceptional care during this interim period of time.
The ICU renovation process can be instructive to us as we look to the challenges on the near horizon. In recent months, we have seen acuity continue to rise. In fact, there has been a gradual movement upward over the course of the last several years as we realize the promise of the BWH-Faulkner Hospital affiliation.
This trend emphasizes the need for constant diligence to our early discharge goals and the entire discharge planning process for our patients. High acuity care must continue to be provided in the teaching hospital setting to ensure exceptional care for our sickest patients. The manner in which we coordinate that care will continue to be a bellwether for our future.
Sincerely,
Andy Whittemore, MD
Chief Medical Officer