BLAIR, Neb. (KMTV) — The CEO and President of Memorial Community Hospital and Health System in Blair is pitching in as a nurse to help during staffing issues.
Manny Banner spent 15 years as nurse before heading to the administrative side.
“My skills are a little rusty... so there is only certain things I can do,” Banner said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on staffing, leading to some shortages with nurses getting overworked and some getting sick.
“Staffing is a little bit of a problem from time to time. With the increased number of patients that sometimes becomes a little bit of a problem,” Banner said.
The hospital says it has brought in temporary nurses and moved people around in different departments to help fill the gaps.
Banner said that if the patient is in really bad shape, they are usually transferred to a bigger facility for treatment.
The hospital has five COVID-19 patients but can handle another five with current staffing levels. Staff and administrators meet three times a week to discuss supply levels and staff. So far, it's ready for possible increases in patients.
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