Update: May 27, 2020

Today is Wednesday, May 27, 2020. It’s Week 2 of Phase I.

State Stats: The state of Louisiana has 38,054 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,596 deaths, and 28,700 patients presumed recovered. There are 831 patients hospitalized, 103 of whom are on vents.
North Oaks Stats: We have 19 COVID-positive patients in-house, with 6 on vents. Unfortunately, we had one death of a nursing home patient over the last week. We have successfully recovered 179 patients!
We remain under the no visitation policy for most patients. This makes communicating with patient’s families extremely important, especially as census of non-COVID patients increases. Please make every effort to promptly update our families.
Dr. Peltier asked staff to assist physicians with discharging patients promptly as bed supply tightens up.
Employee Wellness reports 9 employees home monitoring symptoms, with 9 returning to work last week and 5 scheduled for return to work evaluations this week.
Population Health reports 40 calls to the COVID screening line and 4 video visits yesterday. We tested 69 people in the screening line on Friday; 31 are scheduled for today and 6 are in the queue awaiting appointments. Total tests administered equal 2,841, with 521 positive and 34 pending.
Leaders are encouraged to monitor PTO for furloughed employees and when possible, rotate on the schedule with employees who have PTO to take. When that isn’t possible, and the employee would like to return to work, please reach out to HR for information on available PRN assignments that may be appropriate.
NOPG reports clinic volumes continue to increase, including the walk-in clinics.
The ODC saw 268 patients yesterday – our highest number since reopening. Appointments are required for all testing, and patient flow/social distancing are working well. This model is proving so successful we may make this change permanent.
NOMC performed 216 procedures last week (up 19%); 25 caths (up 12%) and 33 endoscopies (up 74%). This puts us at about 60% of volume. Keep up the great work scheduling those backlogged patients!
No supply issues were reported.
Infection Prevention asks that disposable equipment (thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, etc.) be discarded when the patient is discharged.
The state is deploying a mobile testing van in Region 9 for anyone who would like a test – even those without symptoms. Asymptomatic patients who test positive will be asked to self-isolate for 10 days.
Nursing is distributing information from the Louisiana Department of Health about contact tracing.
If you are aware of local businesses in need of “social distancing” floor dots, please contact Gina McAndrews or Kory Krista, Occupational Health Account Coordinator, x5726. We have a limited supply available for distribution.
For the first time in the history of North Oaks, the Leader of the Quarter was awarded via phone call! Congratulations to Amanda Morse, whose calm, consistent, compassionate, competent response during the COVID-19 crisis has been a stellar example of exemplary leadership.
Weekly Leadership Updates will continue on Wednesday until we return to business as usual (a.k.a. Phase III.)

Non-COVID News

Thanks to everyone for their compassionate care provided to members of our State Troopers who were injured in the line of duty last week. The State Police Commander called Michele personally to express his gratitude for the great care his officers received at North Oaks from each and every team member. Michele specifically thanked Pastor Keith and Michael Watkins for their help.
HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE! Leaders will be making plans for hurricane season, checking emergency boxes, changing out batteries and replacing any expired supplies. Please be sure to update your emergency preparations at home as well. For more information and guidance, visit https://www.northoaks.org/blog/2020/may/operation-preparation-are-you-ready-medically-fo/
LET’S HONOR OUR GRADS! We want to recognize those in the North Oaks family who have graduated this month in a social media post. If you or someone in your department would like to be a part of this celebratory post, please send a photo of the graduate to oneilj@northoaks.org by June 3.
Thanks to everyone for their prompt attention to payroll on Tuesday morning. It went off without a hitch!