Indiana health systems unite in plea to Hoosiers: ‘We can’t do this alone’

Push for vaccinations intensifies as COVID-19 surge creates ‘dire’ situation in hospitals

In a full-page advertisement, which appears in the Indianapolis Star, and signed by medical executives from each of the three health systems, Hoosiers are urged to act by protecting themselves through vaccination, masking and testing. ‘The situation is dire,’ reads the message, which goes on to explain there are fewer beds than patients who need them and healthcare workers are exhausted.

The newspaper ad is part of an overall marketing campaign that also includes paid social media, radio and television.

Community hospitals, like others around the state, have more patients than beds. As a result, patients are held in the emergency department until beds become available. Other areas are being converted to inpatient units to accommodate the surge. This as Indiana confirms its first case of the omicron variant, which is a highly contagious form of the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 By the Numbers

• 1 in 5 hospital beds have COVID-19 patients
• 90% of COVID-19 patients in hospitals are unvaccinated
• 1 in 3 in ICU are COVID-19 patients

‘We are looking at what to do if and when we see a dramatic increase in COVID patients, and what to do if a significant percent of our staff has to quarantine for getting a mild case of COVID,’ said Dr. Ram Yeleti, Chief Physician Executive for Community Health Network. ‘Many people have no idea how bad it is in our hospitals.’

Hospital leaders urge people with mild cases of COVID to avoid the emergency department and instead seek care at a MedCheck or Urgent Care facility.

Links and information on where to get COVID testing, vaccines and non-COVID care can be found on eCommunity.com.

About Community Health Network
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Community Health Network has been deeply committed to the communities it serves since opening its first hospital, Community Hospital East, in 1956.  Community Health Network puts patients first while offering a full continuum of healthcare services, world-class innovations and a new focus on population health management. Exceptional care, simply delivered, is what sets Community Health Network apart and what makes it a leading not-for-profit healthcare destination in central Indiana. For more information about Community Health Network, please visit eCommunity.com