Pioneers Memorial receives crucial support from National Guard

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD) officials announced the National Guard has arrived to help, following a recent surge of coronavirus patients.

PMHD officials say the hospital was allocated a team of 14 registered nurses and emergency medical technicians.

These forces will increase efforts already in place by Pioneers employees, officials say.

They will be assisting patients in the hospital’s Intensive Care and Definitive Observation units as well as the Emergency and Medical and Surgical departments, officials say.

The support staff went through an onboarding process on Thursday and by Friday they are already assisting in the local COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Guard support staff is expected to remain at PMHD for the following two to four weeks as the hospital augments its staffing to meet the community's needs.

PMHD announced Wednesday the facility itself was prepped to handle more patients yet primarily needed additional staff to accommodate the sudden increases.

“With the National Guard’s experienced nurses and medics, we are able to staff more beds and keep patients closer to home,” noted PMHD CEO Larry Lewis. “Even though visitations are restricted, it still helps families and patients know they’re not far away.”

Lewis also noted that in the past months, the Imperial County saw an increase in COVID-19 positive patients within 8-12 days Easter and Mother’s Day.

With Memorial Day around the corner and the hospital’s staffing resources already stretched thin, the district reiterates the importance of social distancing and hand hygiene practices.