DHHS announces the Hospital Decompression Program

Along with the new program, DHHS announced free at-home COVID-19 test kits will be available to Nebraska residents.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced a new program to help open up more beds in local hospitals.

DHHS created the Hospital Decompression Program to move patients out of hospitals when they no longer require acute care. This program will help find skilled nursing facilities for those patients still requiring care.

DHHS says a total of 78 to 98 hospital decompression beds will be available in the following locations:

• Lincoln: 16 to 36 beds operated by Mission Health Communities
• Omaha: 32 beds (TBA pending finalized contract)
• Grand Island: 30 beds (TBA pending finalized contract)

The Lincoln facility will begin accepting patients on February 1, with other facilities starting 10 to 14 days after contracts are finalized.

DHHS also announced free at-home COVID-19 test kits will be available to Nebraska residents. DHHS began a contract with eMed to provide 200,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits.

Local health departments will work with DHHS to place pickup locations throughout Nebraska. If needed, DHHS will be able to purchase more testing kits.

DHHS says the testing kits will be made available during the first week of February.