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  • Beebe suspends all non-emergency surgeries

    Beebe suspends all non-emergency surgeries

    Beebe Healthcare has implemented a postponement of all non-emergency surgeries and procedures starting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.

    The healthcare organization is taking these difficult measures so that staff and beds can be reassigned for inpatient care. This is directly related to the continued surge in COVID-19 positive patients that require hospitalization and care.

    Previously, Beebe only postponed elective procedures that required an overnight stay.

    Beebe is facing significant pressures on staff, care teams, and providers with this latest surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

    “Right now, it’s more difficult than ever to deliver healthcare,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “Our emergency departments and hospital are past capacity. We are making operational adjustments to keep up with the growing demand for healthcare in Sussex County, but this is not sustainable.”

    Certain procedures and surgeries will continue, including those that screen for progressive diseases such as cancer that could have longer term consequences if not identified for patients. Examples include colonoscopies, biopsies, and endoscopies, as well as access to dialysis.

    Patients will be contacted by their surgeon’s office, and Beebe’s multidisciplinary team will continue to evaluate cases daily for the health of all patients.

    Beebe is not yet at the stage where we are forced to adopt Crisis Standards of Care. However, the situation is critical and can change at any moment. Omicron, for those who are vaccinated and received a booster, tend to present milder symptoms. But this is not what Beebe is seeing in the hospital for those who are unvaccinated.

    “People are very sick. This is a heartfelt ask to our community to assist us during this unmatched surge,” Dr. Tam said. “The fluid nature of this pandemic, the plateauing of vaccinated people in our community, and the national staffing shortage, all combine to make it extremely difficult to predict when we could move into another standard of care.

    “We are concerned for our community, our patients, and our staff. The situation is serious. It is critical that you wear your mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds, keep your distance and get vaccinated and boosted. We implore you, again, to understand and take action. Please. The time is now.”

  • Beebe to open new primary care office at Cape Henlopen Medical Center

    Beebe to open new primary care office at Cape Henlopen Medical Center

    The view of Cape Henlopen Medical Center from the intersection of ​Kings Highway and Gills Neck Road. It will feature the new Beebe Primary Care office.

    Beebe Healthcare is set to open a new primary care office in Cape Henlopen.

    Providers Lisa Bartels, MD, and Aaron Block, PA-C, are moving their offices to the new Cape Henlopen Medical Center on Black Swan Drive in Lewes. The new practice will be named Beebe Primary Care Cape Henlopen.

    Beebe Healthcare is inviting the public to an open house 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the new offices. A brief ribbon cutting ceremony will be held along with tours. Masks will be required during the tours or while inside.

    “Your local community health system is committed to growing access to primary care providers,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “Aaron and Lisa are two well established providers and more will be joining them here. All will enjoy this new, beautiful space along with their patients, and it also allows for Beebe Medical Group to continue to expand alongside Sussex County.”

    If community members are looking for a primary care provider, they can call 302-645-3332 to find a Beebe provider accepting patients.

    Dr. Bartels is board certified in family medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at Connecticut College, New London, in 2004. She received her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, in 2009.

    Her family medicine residency was completed at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pa. Her previous location was at Beebe Primary Care – Lewes on Savannah Road.

    Block is a certified physician assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants who was practicing with Beebe Family Practice King Street Row. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and his physician assistant certification from Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, in 2005.

    In addition to his experience in family practice, he has experience as a physician assistant in the specialty of urology, the intensive care unit, the emergency department, and surgical oncology.

    “Please join us at this event so you can see Beebe’s commitment to the community and hear how we are growing our services for you,” said Stephen Keiser, VP, Chief Administrative Officer, Beebe Medical Group. “Our medical group has brought in dozens of providers in 2021, and we are excited to embark on 2022 with the same growth in mind.”