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Update: March 26, 2020

Updated 10:49 a.m., 3/26/20

  • Hey everyone – it’s THURSDAY!
  • Volume of COVID-19 patients is starting to increase in Tangipahoa Parish. We anticipate at least 9 positives when the state releases its numbers at noon today.
  • Michele participated on a call with the U.S. Inspector General yesterday to provide input on the government response to the COVID-19 crisis. The LHA is having a call about state response at noon today. If you are having any issues you’d like Michele to report, please let her know by noon.
  • Please notify furloughed staff about the Employee Emergency Relief Program as quickly as possible. It is OK to share Michele’s memo with employees (it is posted to OakLink and the employee portal for easy access.) Many thanks to Jeff, Rachel, Mark, Will and their teams for working hard to get that in place so quickly.
    • HR is working now to load those PTO hours. Timekeepers – if you prepared payroll before yesterday for furloughed employees, please go back and verify that you’ve applied those PTO hours afforded by the Emergency Relief Program.
  • There is no need to bring PTO buy-back forms to the Human Resources building – they will accept via email. Forms must be received by HR by 8 a.m. April 6, 2020.
  • Incident Command will be open 7 a.m. – 4:30 today and tomorrow. We will suspend after that and reopen when needed.
  • Dr. Peltier reviewed CDC masking guidelines. We will be printing reference sheets and distributing to the units today. Amanda and the infection prevention team will be on the units today observing PPE use and providing just in time training for you.
    • Dr. Peltier emphasized that proper donning and doffing technique is VERY, VERY important, and asked that we please concentrate our efforts here.
  • Communications reported that support from the community has been incredible. Donations of food and supplies continue to come in. Tangipahoa school superintendent Melissa Stilley has instructed schools to clean out supply closets so those supplies can be donated to North Oaks. We expect a truck load today.
  • Covey Rise will be on campus Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the cafeteria with bags of fresh veggies. Bags are $30 and they accept cash or Venmo. Please maintain 6 feet distance while waiting in line.
  • The new ED process to triage patients with respiratory symptoms is going well. Seeing an uptick in patients presenting to the ED, but we are ready to handle.
  • Number of calls to Population Health remains steady. Forty to fifty telemed visits were done yesterday. Drive through screening is available today.
  • Employee wellness is tracking about 300 employees for potential exposure, and 21 employees are self-quarantined.
  • Michele reports that group texts are being sent to providers daily. If you have any info you’d like to include, please send to her.
  • Charles and Wendy are going to be doing vent education on Friday for nursing units. Today Dr. Cook is doing vent education for our Hospitalist team. Thanks to you all for your efforts.
  • Visitor control and staff temp checks are going well.
  • NOPG clinics – all is well.
  • The North Oaks Eye Care Clinic is open and can fill orders for contact lenses or emergency eyewear. Patients will need a current prescription and can pay by credit card via telephone. Employees can pick up orders via curbside delivery Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or ask that your order be delivered to your unit. For more information on contact lenses of eyewear, call (985) 230-7093. For urgent infections or eye injuries, call the clinic at (985) 230-EYES (3937).
  • If you need resources posted to Oaklink or portal, please work with Melanie (x 6555) or Tracy (x6080).
  • Leaders – please send photos of your staff responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to social@northoaks.org. Please be sure HIPAA guidelines are followed.