Kalispell Regional continues ramping up services

Beginning next week, some operative and interventional procedures will once again be offered by Kalispell Regional Healthcare as part of the hospital system’s second phase of its reintroduction plan.

The second phase was announced Thursday and comes on the heels of phase one, which began on Monday. For the first phase, patients were allowed to enter clinic settings, diagnostic tests such as CT or MRI were greenlighted and patients could be seen in-person in preparation for upcoming procedures.

According to the press release, while the hospital is reintroducing operative and interventional procedures for this second phase, “we [the hospital] expect the majority of the initial cases to be outpatient in nature, but we will need to take care of some patients who require inpatient care as well.”

The reintroduction plan is the hospital’s measured approach to gradually reintroduce certain clinical services “at various locations on various days” that were put on hold due to the novel coronavirus, while also continuing to protect the health and safety of patients and employees.

According to a press release, phases of the hospital’s plan have commenced in accordance with government and public health official guidelines for COVID-19. However, should there be a change in the pandemic status, the hospital is “prepared to scale back again, if necessary.”

Recently, Kalispell Regional Healthcare CEO Craig Lambrecht said the hospital’s temporary abatement in services, such as elective surgeries, would cost the hospital $16 million per month in losses. This figure prompted a widespread furlough that impacted the hours and shifts of some 600 employees and cut the salaries of hospital leadership, physicians and others.

The press release touched on these furloughs briefly, stating, “we will continue to evaluate daily operational needs as we phase in re-starting services and will initiate return-to-work for furloughed employees as appropriate.” No additional details were provided regarding an estimate of how many furloughed employees may be expected to return to work next week or in the coming days.

While some services are slated to start back up, the press release stated different safety practices will remain in place for the time-being. These include the encouraged use of telehealth in lieu of in-person office visits when possible, visitor restrictions at all facilities, screening for employees, patients and essentially visitors, social distancing and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com