Preparedness plans at Upper Allegheny Health System hospitals are working, officials said Wednesday.

“We’re ready,” said Jeff Zewe, RN, president, chief executive officer, UAHS and its member hospitals, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital. “Over the last month, we’ve worked hard and managed appropriately to plan for the surge.”

The so-called surge is an anticipated exponential rise in patients with COVID-19. Dr. William Mills, senior vice president of quality and professional affairs at UAHS, said BRMC has had no patients that are COVID-19 positive, but has three patients under investigation. Olean General has three patients that are positive, two are in medical/surgical and one is in intensive care, and six patients are under investigation.

Zewe continued, “Our surge plans are ready, and include increasing bed capacity at OGH by 75 beds and BRMC by 30 beds, setting up temporary tents by both emergency departments, and enhanced education for our staff and communities.”

Mills said Dr. Jeremy Barnett, intensivist, provided training for BRMC and OGH providers who could be called upon to treat critically ill COVID patients. The “boot camp” included hands-on training using ultrasound technology, updates in the use of ventilators, and specific treatment algorithms and protocols for the COVID patient. The boot camp was created and taught by Barnett with the help of the critical nurses from OGH. This two-hour educational session was recorded for other providers to view as well, Mills said.

Zewe explained UAHS has seen a low volume of patients coming in with respiratory symptoms, and the number of positive COVID cases remains low.

“Our volumes are down 65 percent at the hospitals, outpatient settings and our physician practice network. The low volumes are a direct reflection of the overall plan working,” he said.

He commended everyone for working together on the important message of how to avoid getting sick — hand washing and social distancing.

“The message is being heard and followed as people are staying home and this is paying off with very few positive confirmed cases in Cattaraugus and McKean counties. The pandemic is far from over but from a medical standpoint we are beginning to see a glimmer of positive signs from the New York City area. Hospitalization rates are trending down as well as ICU usage, according to Gov. Cuomo,” Zewe said.

Part of the plan for addressing the anticipated surge was to decrease the volume of patients using BRMC and OGH, he said, “even though it creates a financial hardship for our hospitals. Phase I is accomplished, which was dealing with a crisis and establishing a swift plan to prepare our hospitals for a surge of patients. Again, this is far from over so people need to continue to be vigilant”, Zewe said.

Mills added that UAHS is ready.

“Our clinical staff is getting the extra training they need,” Mills said. “While the financial strain with all this is significant, we’ve prepared for a surge in our local community. As a doctor, I’m concerned about people getting the healthcare they need. While we are preparing for extra volume, we want people to know we are still open for business if they really need us.”

The Bradford Hospital Foundation and Olean General Hospital Foundation have established COVID-19 Response Funds. Donations to this fund will be used to directly support front line staff as we face this pandemic. Funds raised will stay with each respective hospital. For more information, or to make a donation, contact the BH Foundation, 814/362-3200, www.brmc.com/foundation, or the OGH Foundation, 716/375-7445, www.ogh.org/foundation. The hospitals are also accepting PPE donations for hospital use which can be delivered at the main entrances between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.