Idaho deactivates crisis standards of care as conditions improve, but some hospitals are still reporting stress

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has deactivated Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) in the three public health districts in southern Idaho in which they had been activated in accordance with IDAPA 16.02.09 – Crisis Standards of Care For Healthcare Entities. CSC has been deactivated in Southwest District Health, Central District Health, and South Central District Health in southern Idaho because shortages in staffing and blood products have stabilized.

“Even though things are improving, the number of COVID-19 cases statewide and the testing percent positivity is still very high,” said DHW Director Dave Jeppesen. “Please continue to take the recommended precautions and get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask in public places, and stay home if you feel sick so those numbers keep trending in the right direction.”

Healthcare systems statewide are generally using contingency operations as circumstances are improving but variable. This means it will be some time before healthcare systems return to full normal operations.

Healthcare systems are still experiencing variable circumstances and will implement their plans to return to a usual standard of operations according to their own policies. In addition, the state will continue to provide statewide coordination and resources including healthcare personnel via FEMA and existing federal contracts until the situation further stabilizes