Medical facilities here incurring COVID-19 costs while swarmed with patients
-Kevin Blocker
Providence Health Care, which operates the Sacred Heart Medical Center campus, has seen expenses increase as revenues have declined.
While Washington state officials say the first COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to select groups of residents this month, local health care officials say there will continue to be areas of uncertainty heading into next year.
In adjusting to COVID-19, Shelby Stokoe, Providence Health Care’s chief financial officer, says Providence is incurring $7 million to $8 million annually of new costs associated with the pandemic for personal protective equipment, lab testing, and increased staff and security to help maintain visitor restrictions.