DCH Coronavirus Update 9-28-20

Nancy Garner Recognized as a Top Alabama Nurse

Congratulations to employee Nancy Garner who was just named one of Alabama’s Top Nurses by the Alabama State Nurses Association.

The association received 500 nominations from across the state, then narrowed this to 50 winners including Garner, an RN at The SpineCare Center. “I was just honored someone thought of me,” said Garner, who does not know who nominated her.

Along with other winners, Garner was recognized last week during a virtual program.

In addition, Garner’s husband and co-workers; Dr. Wesley Spruill, medical director, SpineCare; and members of the DCH Senior Leadership Team surprised her today, Sept. 28, with a celebration at SpineCare. “You are absolutely an advocate for patients,” said SpineCare Director Melissa Pate. “There is no one more deserving of this honor.”

Garner has worked at DCH for 35 years, spending 20 of those in the former Acute Cardiac Care Unit at DCH Regional Medical Center. The remainder has been at SpineCare.

A few years ago, Garner retired from SpineCare but returned to work there after just three months. “I missed all of my patients and co-workers. I said, ‘This is where I need to be.’”

Shown in the photo is Nancy Garner with Dr. Wesley Spruill.

Testing and Confirmed Cases

To protect patient privacy, DCH has established a minimum threshold of five for reporting numbers of inpatients with laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19.

DCH internal counts as of 2:20 p.m. on 9/28/20:

• 63 inpatients are being treated for COVID-19.
• 22 inpatients who are positive for COVID-19 are being treated in the ICU.
• 8 who are positive for COVID-19 are on ventilators.
• 7 who are positive for COVID-19 are on a BiPAP.
• 3,296 (cumulative) unique positives for COVID-19 tests including results from the ED, triage tent and inpatient. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 21,966 (cumulative) unique negatives for COVID-19 at DCH sites.
• 4,245 (cumulative) positive COVID-19 at DCH sites. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 32,851 (cumulative) negative tests at DCH sites.
• 967 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have been discharged.
• 192 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have died at DCH. This is not an indication of the cause of death, only that the individuals were positive for COVID-19 at the time of death.
• 107 Tuscaloosa County residents (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have died (per the Alabama Department of Public Health).

18-24 Demographic Information

• 3.9 percent of those 18-24 who tested positive for COVID-19 have needed inpatient care at DCH.
• 5.9 percent of women 18-24 who tested positive for COVID-19 have needed inpatient care at DCH.
• 1.1 percent of men 18-24 who tested positive for COVID-19 have needed inpatient care at DCH.