IU Health requests help from National Guard, says demand and strain ‘has never been greater’

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indiana University Health has requested help from the National Guard for most of their hospitals, according to the health system.

Their request, according to IU Health, does not include Riley Children’s Hospital at IU Health. The hospital says six-person National Guard teams consist of two clinical and four non-clinical service members.

“Sixteen members in each group are deployed, two of which are clinical and have some, mostly paramedic, EMS kind of background,” said Dr. Chris Weaver, IU Health chief clinical officer.

The health system says their request is a result of the recent increase in hospitalizations due to COVID and non-COVID patients. They say the number of hospitalizations has reached an all-time high.

“The vast majority are not vaccinated — and this really is a major surge of those that are unvaccinated,” says Weaver.

IU Health said the “demand and strain on Indiana University Health’s team members, nurses and providers has never been greater.”

IU Health Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Calkins said that out of 36,000 employees, only 125 left their job after deciding not to get vaccinated. But, he says, concern is growing for the remaining staff reaching the end of their rope.

“Hospital beds and monitors don’t feel, but … (we) are tired — our people are incredibly tired,” says Calkins. “You can only do this so long before it just becomes draining.”