HJAR Mar/Apr 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAR / APR 2021 19 the vaccines. Initial interest surveys before the vaccines were available showed more than 60% were reluctant to take the shot. Reports from hospitals after availability reflected 50-55% of eligible staff took the vaccine, with some hos- pitals reporting higher numbers. The process of vaccinating the public in phases continues, but we all remain challenged by the lack of vaccine available to administer. Hospitals have shown great efficiency in giving the vaccine through mass clinics, and, as more vaccine becomes available, we will be central to administering doses throughout Arkansas. FUTURE We certainly do not know what the future of the COVID-19 pandemic holds for us as we continue to hear about different variants of COVID and their higher rates of transmission. We will continue to vaccinate as many people as possible before the different variants reach Arkansas, with the hopes that these vaccines will be sufficiently effective against them. Experience and preparation have placed hospitals in a better position to react to in- creased hospitalizations. In these times of great challenge, hospitals have shown the ability to adapt, improvise, prepare, create and react during this pandemic. In retrospect, these key moves indicate the responsiveness of our healthcare system: • Procuring PPE reserves, • Increasing testing capacity, • Purchasing ventilators and other neces- sary equipment, • Converting existing facilities to negative pressure, • Managing financial pressures, • Acquiring and retaining staff, • Increasing ICU bed capacity, • Developing vaccination plans. We are always very proud of the work ac- complished by our healthcare workers and hospitals, but this past year has proven their primary dedication to patient care. We are con- tinually inspired by their unwavering motivation to do more and to provide quality care to all Arkansans. n “We are always very proud of the work accomplished by our healthcare workers and hospitals, but this past year has proven their primary dedication to patient care. We are continually inspired by their unwavering motivation to do more and to provide quality care to all Arkansans.”