OSF Healthcare exceeds capacity for first time in COVID-19 pandemic

OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group exceeded capacity this week for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, causing it to execute its emergency plan to make more room available at the hospital.

Dr. Bill Hook, director of medical services, says OSF has converted its ambulatory care unit to in-patient beds to handle the overflow. That means procedures normally conducted there are being postponed.

Although COVID-19 patients are the reason the hospital reached the tipping point this week, OSF President and CEO Dave Lord says they are seeing a lot of patients who put off treatment during the pandemic on other health issues who now need care.