Update: March 16, 2020
Updated 1:07 p.m., 3/16/20
- As of 9:30 a.m. there are 119 confirmed cases statewide across 10 parishes.
- At North Oaks, we have several tests pending, but no confirmed cases at this time.
- Systems set in place to address the COVID-19 situation at North Oaks are all working well.
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Operations continue to be business as usual, with the following modifications:
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Changes to visitor control policy. Effective immediately we will allow
only one visitor in a patient room house-wide, clinic visit, testing appointment,
same day surgery waiting room and surgery center unless a patient is nearing
end of life. In that situation, coordinate with your Charge Nurse or House
Supervisor.
- In the NICU, visitors will be restricted to one visitor per day, one VISIT per day.
- The public COVID-19 screening line (x2778) and the health care provider only COVID HOTLINE (x2819) will be manned 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days/week.
- Walk-in clinic hours will be expanded to 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days/week.
- Patients with existing appointments for non-urgent conditions (e.g. hypertension check) are being called and screened for symptoms of COVID-19 the day prior to their appointment. If they have symptoms, they will be referred to the COVID-19 screening line (x2778) and their existing appointment will be rescheduled for when they are feeling well.
-
Changes to visitor control policy. Effective immediately we will allow
only one visitor in a patient room house-wide, clinic visit, testing appointment,
same day surgery waiting room and surgery center unless a patient is nearing
end of life. In that situation, coordinate with your Charge Nurse or House
Supervisor.
New CDC Guidelines were issued this weekend:
- Groups of 50 people or fewer can safely meet. Practice good hand hygiene and stay home if you have fever, new or deepening cough and/or difficulty breathing OR have underlying health conditions that put you at additional risk.
- Health care workers who have cared for a patient or been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 can remain at work as long as they are asymptomatic. These workers will be asked to wear a yellow isolation mask and gloves, and take their temperature two times/day for 14 days after exposure. If on duty, the organization will take their temperature. If off-duty they will self-monitor and report to employee wellness via phone call at x5706.
- If you follow proper PPE, you should have no concerns about wearing clothes/shoes home from work. If your work clothes are soiled, we recommend you change before going home and/or coming into contact with someone.
- Supplies are coming in as ordered, but employees are encouraged to use judiciously.
- A video update from Michele Sutton, President/CEO and Dr. Rob Peltier will be released this afternoon.
- Video instructions on use of PPE will also be released today.
- Leaders are working on department specific plans for social distancing.
Leadership continues to meet several times a day to stay abreast of a rapidly-evolving situation. Our next scheduled update will be mid-day Tuesday, March 17, 2020, unless events dictate otherwise.
A big thank you to everyone for their continued support during this extraordinary time. You are making us exceeding proud of how we are responding to this crisis.