Presbyterian and UNM Health Albuquerque Metro Hospitals Activate Crisis Standards of Care

Presbyterian Healthcare Services and University of New Mexico Health – along with health care systems around the state – are facing unprecedented challenges managing the impact of COVID-19 on staff and facilities.

Both UNM Health and Presbyterian have taken steps to expand clinical spaces and increase staffing in order to care for our community during the pandemic. The addition of the Public Health Order permitting the activation of Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) provides another lever for hospitals to meet patient needs.  

As a result, effective November 11, Presbyterian’s Albuquerque metro hospitals – Presbyterian Hospital, Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital and Presbyterian Rust Medical Center – will be activating Crisis Standards of Care. UNM Health is also activating CSC for its Albuquerque metro hospitals – UNM Hospital and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center.

While both systems will not be deallocating or rationing care at this time, activating CSC will allow us to care for our patients as safely and effectively as possible in this environment of unrelenting patient volumes.

Physician leaders from UNM Health and Presbyterian will be available to address questions about crisis standards of care and how the community can help.

WHAT: Press conference

WHO: Dr. Jason Mitchell, Chief Medical Officer, Presbyterian Healthcare Services and Dr. Michael Richards, Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs, UNM Health System.

WHERE: The event will be streamed live on Facebook @unmhsc

WHEN: Thursday, November 11 at 10 a.m.

Media contacts: Mark Rudi, Media Relations Manager, UNM Health Sciences, mrudi@salud.unm.edu, 505-589-8107. 

Melanie Mozes, Director, Communications, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, mmozes@phs.org, 505-506-1099.