Update: March 17, 2020

Updated 11:05 a.m., 3/17/20

As of 9:30 this morning, Louisiana has 171 confirmed cases across 12 Parishes. Four patients have expired. To date there are no positives at North Oaks – all screenings performed in our drive through testing station on Friday have come back negative.
We are flexing hours of the drive-through testing station to accommodate volume. Today the station will be operating from 12 – 5 p.m.
Physicians performed 140 telemedicine visits yesterday. Over the next two days, an additional 13 physicians will be trained in conducting virtual visits to accommodate demand.
If you find you need to flex staff due to decreased volume, please call Jeff in Human Resources prior to releasing employees. There may be opportunities to reassign in areas where help is needed.
Social Distancing: The CDC guidelines are maintaining a distance of 6 feet (not 10 feet).
Internal education classes will continue to be held and social distancing will be observed.
In accordance with the Governor’s request yesterday regarding dining establishments, we are closing the cafeteria dining room today. To Go boxes are available, but please eat in break rooms or offices rather than the dining room. Observe social distancing recommendations.
Supplies of our standard N-95 masks are just about deployed. We will begin distributing the blue N-95 masks today. The fit is the same as the standard N-95 masks. The item number is 3086 and you can order through our normal requisition process.
Remember to record all hours devoted to the COVID-19 response and charge non-patient care related COVID-19 supplies to account 8600.
We continue to conduct business as usual in terms of clinic operations and elective surgeries. We expect additional clarification from the State this week on plans moving forward. We will let you know of any changes asap.
Employee Wellness guidelines have changed. If health care workers have been exposed to someone positive for COVID-19, they are able to continue working. They will be required to wear a yellow mask and must monitor their temperature. Gloves are NOT required.
TODAY at 1-2 p.m. in ODC Room A, Infection Prevention will be offering a train-the-trainer session about donning and doffing PPE, equipment decontamination and disinfection and waste disposal. This class is for clinics, clinic leadership/ancillary services and all leaders, managers and supervisors. There will be time for Q&A. Our focus is controlling the potential transmission of COVID-19 while we are continuing to prevent other hospital acquired infections.
“Purple Top” cleaner has all been deployed. Infection Prevention is working on verifying suitable substitutions for hospital disinfecting wipes and will be sending out information asap.
BY 1 p.m. TODAY, Leaders should send counts to Ann McDaniel for cookie trays.
Our Board of Commissioners has expressed their undying gratitude for all North Oaks is doing as we work through this pandemic.
Michele expressed thanks to our “caped crusaders” – Drs. Peltier and Newman –who have done yeoman’s work over the last two weeks, in addition to Amanda Morse and her team. PLEASE consult with them only for clinical/patient care guidance so we can keep them from being overwhelmed. All operational questions should be routed to Michele Sutton, and she’ll pull in the appropriate resources to provide answers. Because the situation is so fluid, it’s important that we speak with one voice and strive for consistency. Please do not create your own reference sheets. Use only those posted/approved for use so that we can keep everyone abreast of the latest changes.
Please ask staff to read the Everyone emails daily. We also are recording the updates on the Employee News Line: (985) 230-6397. Additionally, managers have been added to the daily call updates to facilitate faster dissemination of information.
JCAHO has suspended all surveys for the time being. We should always be working toward survey readiness, but we have some breathing room in terms of our survey window.
The Medical Executive Committee will be meeting weekly for updates on the pandemic, and weekly calls for all medical staff have been implemented.
Blood supply shortages are critical. There will be a blood drive at North Oaks on Friday. Look for more details from HR as they become available.
Visitor control is going well.
Please remember to use the language line for interpreter services.
Lastly – what resource materials/references do you need? Please send request to Michele and we will develop and place in the COVID-19 tool kit.