Courtesy-Johnson Memorial Health
FRANKLIN, Ind. – The recent spike in coronavirus cases is creating havoc at Johnson Memorial Health (JMH) in Franklin. With about a dozen healthcare workers out with COVID-19, the Indiana National Guard had to be called into JMH last Wednesday to help nurses treat patients.
At least six guardsmen have been assigned to the facility for a two-week period. They assist with checking vitals, drawing blood, and performing other tasks to support the hospital staff. If necessary, their assignment could extend for another 14 days once the initial two weeks expire.
Unvaccinated patients make up the overwhelming majority of cases of the disease at JMH.
Johnson Memorial Health has a shortage of nurses and nurses aides and is now hiring for those positions. The COVID-19 surge not only means a big influx of patients, but it also amounts to less personnel to handle the situation because a lot of the medical staff is also sick with the virus and cannot work. The hospital is in “crisis mode,” according to JMH President/CEO Dr. David Dunkel.
