Update: April 13, 2020

Updated 10:31 a.m., 4/13/2020

It’s Monday, April 13, 2020.
State Stats: 20,595 cases reported in 64/64 parishes with 840 deaths. There are 2,084 hospitalized patients with 458 on vents.
North Oaks Stats: We have 46 COVID-19 patients in-house and 1 patient under investigation (PUI), with 4 patients on vents. Unfortunately we had 2 COVID-19 related deaths of patients who were on comfort care measures only. This weekend we discharged 7 patients and successfully extubated 3 patients.
Population health took 100 calls yesterday and performed 18 virtual visits. Volume at the Walk-in Clinic was low (14 visits) this weekend. We did 29 tests in the drive-through screening station on Friday, and as of this morning have 31 patients scheduled for today.
We have 35 employees who are home monitoring symptoms, but have had quite a few call-ins this morning. Five employees returned to work Friday, with 17 expected to be cleared to return today.
Supplies are adequate, but please use judiciously. Michael reports that duck bill N-95 masks were distributed this weekend, and that later this week we will fit test the next round of N-95 masks. As the supply of yellow masks is depleted they will be replaced with pink and purple masks from a different supplier. Remember, efficacy is the same, even if the color changes.
Dr. Peltier reported that admissions to MICU and MICU-2 units will be restricted to critical care physicians (pulmonologists and trauma surgeons) as of 7 p.m. today. This will help us solidify COVID-19 care, decrease the number of people entering the room to provide care, decrease redundant testing and decrease the use of PPE.
Remember that personal disinfectants must be approved for hospital use by Infection Prevention. Items approved will have a yellow sticker affixed that says “Approved for Hospital Use.”
Martha and the laboratory team have done a great job getting the capability for rapid testing up and running, and we have received a limited supply of the those tests. Drs. Peltier, Ducombs and Newman have developed criteria for appropriate use of these tests, and one of them must approve their use since supply is so limited.
Communication reports that Dr. Peltier will continue his weekday interviews with Johnny Chauvin, and Leslie Ballard will be interviewed this week about the role of nutrition in building immunity. The community continues to support us with donations of food.
Health Care Hero signs are expected to be delivered tomorrow. Stay tuned for distribution instructions. Be sure to send a photo of you with your sign to social@northoaks.org. We will also have a supply of homemade masks to distribute at the same time.