Nurses at the Billings Clinic prepare to turn a patient from his stomach onto his back in the hospital's intensive care unit on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. (Courtesy of Billings Clinic)
September 21, 2021
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September 24, 2021 2:05 p.m.
VA Medical Center near Helena to open beds to non-veterans
Montana hospitals that reach capacity due to a surge in Covid-19 cases may be able to transfer patients to the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center west of Helena, while additional National Guard soldiers are being activated to help at hospitals, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Friday.
September 21, 2021 3 p.m.
Covid surge pushes Billings Clinic past the tipping point
Nurses fill the hospital room to turn a patient from his stomach to his back. The ventilator forcing air into him is most effective when he’s on his stomach, so he is in that position most hours of the day, sedated and paralyzed by drugs.