A Message from WHMS CEO Brian D. Martin regarding COVID-19

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in our community, I am deeply troubled as to what the future may bring unless we take action very soon.

West Holt Memorial Hospital is vital to this community; however, the impacts of this pandemic are putting both our healthcare workers and our patients at risk.

Our hospital staff, as throughout the Midwest, are currently being stretched and pushed to the limit. The COVID-19 surge is upon us and everyone at our facility is greatly concerned. We have a loyal and dedicated team of men and women working here, but for a variety of reasons, they are getting taxed, both mentally and physically. Working in full personal protective equipment is not easy and can be extremely draining; however, it is necessary to protect not only their own health, but to enable them to continue providing quality care for our patients.

I’m also very concerned about our availability to manage patients, whether they have contracted COVID-19 or not. We have a limited supply of beds and resources.  If the numbers of cases don’t slow down, we’ll be faced with extremely difficult decisions of who gets needed care and who may have to wait.

So, what’s next? It’s actually very simple.

Maintain six feet of social distance, wear a mask, and ensure you wash your hands frequently.  Avoid the 3 Cs (crowded places, close contacts and confined spaces). Such preventative measures are essential to curbing the spread of illness.

With the holidays fast approaching, it’s even more important to do your part. By taking preventative actions now, we can protect our family and friends from this deadly virus.

I implore you as a resident of this community to help us put an end to COVID-19 in Nebraska.

Sincerely,

Brian D. Martin, FACHE

Chief Executive Officer
West Holt Medical Services