Twin Cities On 'Red Alert' For ICU Beds

ICU bed space is scarce because caregivers own infections or exposures


Only nine intensive care beds were available in the Twin Cities on Nov. 4 during a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to an article on the Star-Tribune website.

 ICU bed space is scarce because caregivers were unavailable because of their own infections or exposures.

"We're at a red alert for ICU beds,"  Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, said in the article.

A record 908 inpatient hospital beds in Minnesota were filled with COVID-19 patients, according to the Nov. 4 pandemic dashboard update. 

Some nurses say their employers still aren’t giving them enough N95 masks, according to an article on an earlier Star Tribune article.

A survey of Minnesota nurses this summer found 49 percent felt unsafe with the N95 reuse policies in their workplace. 

Read the full Star Tribune article.

 

 



November 9, 2020


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Mature Dry Surface Biofilm Presents a Problem for Candida Auris

Multiple methods are described in the literature, but no consensus has been reached for disinfection efficacy tests against biofilms.


Sutter Health's Arden Care Center Officially Opens

With an adaptive reuse of an underutilized office building, the 70,000 square-foot facility was renovated to meet current healthcare standards.


Insight Hospital and Medical Center Falls to Data Breach

The investigation determined that an unauthorized individual accessed the network between August 22, 2025, and September 11, 2025.


The High Cost of Healthcare Violence

As workplace violence increases, healthcare facilities face mounting financial and operational disruptions- prompting legislative action.


EVS Teams Can Improve Patient Experience in Emergency Departments

A report confirmed that cleanliness of the ED was the third most impactful element on patient experience surveys.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.