The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $2.3 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse Springfield Hospital for the additional costs of safely operating a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $2,362,945 Public Assistance grant will reimburse Springfield Hospital for providing personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and contract labor in response to COVID needs and increased patient loads.
Between March 2020 and June 2022, the nonprofit 25-bed critical access hospital purchased COVID testing and medical supplies; personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, exam gloves, bouffant caps, shoe covers, and safety glasses; medication transport supplies; and non-touch thermometers.
Additionally, Springfield Hospital contracted to staff inpatient units and clinical areas, hiring registered nurses (RNs), licensed nurse practitioners (LPNs) and respiratory therapists who worked over 20,000 hours.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Springfield Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”