To give that a little perspective, a typical nursing unit is about 24 patients, Farnham said. So, we ve actually seen an increase in the course of one day, of an entire nursing unit here at Providence Portland Medical Center, she said.
Hospitals working to manage capacity
Hultberg, who works closely with hospitals throughout the state, said hospitals can handle the number of patients they have now, but they are watching the growing numbers closely. We have been very concerned about the rate of growth. That growth trajectory needs to change or we will be in a state of crisis, she said.