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Update: March 12, 2020

Updated 3/12/20

This is the first of updates that will be provided every weekday as the COVID-19 situation unfolds. This is a very fluid situation that changes by the hour. Leaders are encouraged to check email several times a day.

Every weekday leadership will meet via conference call to share updates. Just as we do during any emergency situation, an Everyone email (like this one) will follow to all staff. Periodic video updates also will be provided.

Knowledge is power! Please share any questions or concerns you have with your supervisor, or use the “Ask an Administrator” feature on OakLink. Also, if you hear any rumors out in the public, please let us know so Leadership can address appropriately.

Yesterday we hosted a COVID-19 Summit with leaders from the Parish, our sister acute care hospitals, Southeastern Louisiana University, Northshore Technical Community College and Region 9 in addition to our state representatives and our local elected officials. We reviewed our plans and answered their questions, and will continue to work with them closely as we navigate the situation.

We will continue to inform the public through multiple communication channels.

At this time, no changes to the elective case schedule are being made.

Mitigation Plans

The following actions are being taken for at least the next 30 days, at which time we will reassess:

  • Public entry points to NOMC will be limited to the Main Entrance in the Signature Building (by the flag pole) and the Emergency Department to facilitate patient and visitor screening. On weekends, the Emergency Department will be the only public entrance. Staff can use their prox access to enter other doors. Remember: NO TAILGATING! Please direct visitors who are behind you to the Main Entrance so they can be screened.
    • Patients coming in through the Emergency Department will NOT have access to the hospital.
    • We will provide signage to help guide people from the parking garage to the Main Entrance.
    • At NORH, there will be two access points – the main entrance and the door to the Occupational Health clinic.
    • Freestanding clinic facilities will have a staff person stationed at the front door to perform the appropriate screening.
  • Revised Visitation Policy: Starting Friday, 3/13/2020, we are limiting visiting hours at NOMC and NORH to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors must by 18 years or older and will be screened prior to entering the facility. If they pass the screening, they will be given a green wrist band to wear while at the hospital. If they do not pass the screening, they will not be allowed in the facility and will be encouraged to contact their primary care physician. Only one visitor per patient room/same day surgery patient/surgery center patient/outpatient rehab patient will be allowed at one time, with the exception of Pediatrics/pediatric patients and the NICU – both parents (no grandparents or siblings) will be allowed to visit children at the same time. Nursing is communicating this change to current patients tonight, and encouraging use of FaceTime.
    • This visitation policy applies to vendors as well. They must be screened at before entering our facilities.
    • Pastor Kincaid is working with our community clergy to restrict their visits as much as possible. If a patient is at risk of passing, nursing will work with the front desk (x 6149) on weekdays and the ED on weekends to allow clergy, friends and family in to be with the patient.
    • At HPPB we will be screening only our patients, not those of independent physicians that office there.
  • Patients scheduled for appointments or testing (at any facility) who do not pass the screening will be asked to mask and proceed to the appropriate treatment area.
  • Three parking spots in the Same Day Surgery parking lot will be reserved for patients coming to NOMC for cardio/pulmonary rehab.
  • Southeastern Louisiana University has cancelled all spring sporting events through March 31, 2020.
  • We are exploring options for our annual Sports Physical Day – stay tuned for more details.
  • We are suspending volunteer services (NOMC, NORH and Hospice) and the gift shop for 30 days. Employees are encouraged to make use of the MiniMart for snacks. If you need scrubs, call the Volunteer Services Office (x. 6881) and the staff will be able to help you.
  • Volunteer Week celebrations are being postponed until later in the year.
  • We will continue to honor our commitment with regard to clinical rotations, but will not be allowing students to interact with patients when PPE is required.
  • Visits from pharmacy reps are suspended until further notice.
  • The Farmer’s Market, hospital tours, and hosting of external groups in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center are suspended until further notice.
  • Community education, support groups and HOT team First Aid tents/events are also suspended for 30 days.
  • All staff travel to conferences is suspended until further notice.
  • The travel policy has changed again. The World Health Organization has declared a Global Level 2 status. If employees will be traveling to Europe, Asia or any cruise, they will be required to check in with Employee Wellness two weeks before they depart. They will be required to isolate for 14 days upon return, and must be cleared by Employee Wellness prior to returning to their work unit. PTO must be used for the first 40 hours of isolation; EIT can be used beginning hour 41.

COVID-19 Testing Plan

Patients will need a physician order and must be registered to receive a COVID-19 test. Healthcare providers will need to call a special HOT line [(985) 230-2778] where representatives from our population health clinic will validate that the patient qualifies for the test and make the appropriate arrangements. An EPIC build has been completed to accommodate screening.

Testing will be provided outside the Woman’s Pavilion on weekdays from 1 – 5 p.m. Directional signage will be placed on campus, and security will provide traffic control.

Dr. Robinson and his team have developed an algorithm to help staff determine how the patient should flow through the system.

We will be funneling as many patients with respiratory issues to the Walk-In Clinics in Hammond, Ponchatoula and Walker, and the Hammond Family Medicine Clinic to limit exposure to other patients and visitors.

Atelemedicine option will be made available to patients when appropriate. Drs. Hennegan, Beyl and Sidiqqui and NPs Lexi Domingues and April McIntyre have received training and will provide virtual care.

Infection Prevention

Amanda Morse stressed that all staff have the skill set to safely care for those suspected of having COVID-19. She is available for “just in time” training when needed.

She is going to send detailed clinical information to all inpatient units. Please call if you have questions.

Droplet precaution will be used for all suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19. If available, the patient will be placed in a private room. The door will be kept closed and signage indicating the patient may have COVID-19 will be on the door. Staff will be required to don gown, gloves, N-95 mask and goggles. If you need assistance with fit testing, please call Infection Prevention.

Patients in isolation rooms will receive food on disposable trays. Waste should be double bagged and knotted. Also be sure to bag dirty linen appropriately.

Upon patient discharge, EVS will follow the appropriate cleaning for isolation rooms and Tru-D (ultraviolet) disinfection will be used.

Supplies

We have about 6,000 N-95 masks in house – please use ONLY when the patient’s condition requires them.

We have a generous supply of isolation masks. These will be used for the general public.

We want to use surgical masks only when appropriate.

We have 1,100 COVID-19 test kits in house, and another 1,200 on the way.

We have about 800 RapidFlu tests in house.

We will update staff on our stock of supplies as the situation unfolds.

Dr. Peltier reinforced that we will continue to provide the absolute highest level of care and comply with CDC recommendations for the safety of our patients, staff and community. We will not scrimp and we will do everything the RIGHT way.

Expenses

Mark explained that we may be able to recoup some non-direct patient care expenses associated with the COVID-19 situation.

Use cost center 8600 to log non-payroll expenses (i.e. costs of printing posters related to COVID-19)

While API will be used as normal to process payroll, please log hours spent working on the COVID-19 issue (like the Leadership meeting, EPIC builds for COVID-19) on the disaster form on OakLink (Forms/Finance/Disaster Hours). Submit to payroll at the end of the pay period.

And finally:

Remember, HIPAA still applies. It is not appropriate to share information about number of tests provided, number of patients awaiting results, number of patients admitted with suspected COVID-19, etc. unless there is a need to know.

Whew! Our next update will be midday tomorrow, 3/13/2020.

Thank you to everyone for all you do every day to improve lives, every time and with every touch.