PRMC thanks locals for donations

CLOVIS — On behalf of Plains Regional Medical Center, Drew Dostal says thank you.

The administrator of Clovis’ hospital said Tuesday that inspirational cards and letters, meals and prayers from the community have been greatly appreciated in these days of pandemic.

“We’ve had some nice cards that have been really encouraging and I try to get those to everybody and let them see those,” Dostal said.

“We’ve had restaurants, individuals and churches send over meals and snacks ...

“Those are the kinds of things we really are benefiting from. It kind of gives our team a shot in the arm to let people know they are thinking about them.”

Dostal said no one was hospitalized in Clovis with COVID-19 as of Tuesday and the facility had “plenty” of empty beds.

He also said Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the parent company for hospitals in Clovis and Tucumcari, as well as the governor’s office has “put us in a pretty good position” for supplies, including ventilators.

“The governor has put us in a hub and spoke kind of mode,” he said, with a system in place to relocate supplies to hospitals throughout the state as they become needed.

“We have plenty of ventilators today,” he said. “But it’s a fluid model so I can’t nail it down for you; the number might change tomorrow.”

Like other hospitals around the region, Dostal said PRMC has postponed non-emergency procedures, severely limited traffic and encourages telephone and video medical calls.

“We’ve slowed down a lot of our care in selective areas ... because we don’t want to become a hub of transmission of disease,” he said.

“If it’s something we can pick up in a month or two, that’s what we need to do.”

Dostal said PRMC is not accepting donations of home-made protective masks.

“It’s been recommended people in the community use those if they so chose, but we’re just using the medical-grade masks here.”

But, please, he said, keep those cards and letters coming.

“It’s been really nice for our team to know that people are there for them and appreciate them,” Dostal said.