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Update: April 1, 2020

Updated 10:48 a.m., 4/1/20

  • It’s Wednesday, April 1 (no foolin’)
  • State of Louisiana reports 5,237 cases in 60/64 parishes. 1,355 patients are in the hospital with 438 vents. 239 patients have died. We have learned that data published from LDH is lagging due to data verification and family notification processes. Parish President Robbie Miller will issue an executive order today requiring all health care facilities in Tangipahoa Parish to report data on COVID-19 results to North Oaks so we can get a timely parish-wide picture of the spread.
  • Reminder that there is a call for all medical staff (MDs and APPs) today at 12:30.
  • Dr. Rob Peltier reports that North Oaks has performed a total of 637 tests, 70 have been positive (inpatients and outpatients), and 140 test results are pending. There are 23 patients scheduled for the COVID drive through screening center as of this morning. We continue to have a sufficient supply of tests.
  • Currently we have 18 COVID-19 positive patients in-house, with 36 under investigation. Ten patients are on vents.
  • Employee Wellness reports that 32 employees are self-isolating, 9 employees are pending results, and another 9 are in the COVID appointment line. At this point, all employees should assume they’ve been exposed and monitor temperatures and symptoms. Be diligent about hand hygiene and your environment. If you are sick – call the sick line and stay home.
  • The Employee Emergency Relief Plan is going to be extended to PRN nurses and respiratory therapists who join North Oaks full time. After six months those employees will be eligible for the PTO and buy-back benefits. Not only will we gain permanent North Oaks family members, but we’ll decrease contract labor expenses.
  • HR is reviewing the CARES Act and will be sending information out later this week about changes pertaining to FSAs and hardship withdrawals from retirement plans.
  • Infection Prevention reminds you that information/training on treating patients with droplet conditions is available by calling their office at x. 6164 and in the COVID-19 Toolkit on the I: drive.
  • Staff working this weekend should be alerted to enter through the Tower Lobby. It’s likely that the Main Entrance (signature building) will be closed. A final decision will be made Friday.
  • Rep. Scalise, Rep Wheat and Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller are working hard to ensure we have adequate supplies of PPE. We expect a shipment in the next day or two.
  • We are beginning to experience some drug shortages, and the medical and pharmacy staff are working together to identify alternative drugs if needed.
  • Telehealth through myChart is being tested today by the physicians conducting COVID-19 video visits.
  • Yesterday (using the old format) 36 video visits were conducted, 110 calls were received by the COVID-19 screening line, and there were 63 walk-in visits.
  • The “Release of Information” window in HIM will be closing at 1:30 each weekday.
  • Appointments for the “Return to Work” Clinic can be made by calling 985-230-2778.
  • Clinics and call centers are seeing an uptick in calls from people with anxiety. People feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency can call a special Keeping Calm through COVID Hotline. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.. The number is 1-866-310-7977 and is staffed 24/7.