Chicago hospital adds extra beds to lobby

A Chicago hospital is preparing for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients by transforming its lobby into a treatment area.

Rush University Medical Center is expanding its patient capacity by using its main lobby as a low-grade emergency room to treat minor emergencies that aren't life threatening.

That will free up space in the main emergency department to treat an expected increase in patients needing treatment for the coronavirus.

Individual recliners and beds marked off by privacy screens will function as mini-treatment areas for the mildly ill or injured.

Dr. Dino Rumoro, dean of Rush Medical College and chairperson of the Department of Emergency Medicine says the area is designed as overflow if Rush's emergency room gets inundated with COVID-19 patients.

All patients will come in through the main emergency area and from there, be divided by symptom.