Update: August 25, 2021

—FOR INTERNAL COMMUNICATION ONLY—

Words of Comfort and Inspiration: “Over the past year, almost daily, someone will say to me out loud ‘I’m Tired.’ In that moment, this is a true and honest expression of their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state of being. What I have come to understand is that, in most cases, they are not telling me they are tired. They are telling themselves. Allowing them a moment to express it out loud, saying it out loud, in a friendly environment. Then reaching down deep into their inner place of strength, they go back to the tasks at hand. I encourage us today to put on our listening ears, to be present and allow ourselves and others to let it out, then draw on your own inner strength.”—Pastoral Care Director Keith Kincaid

State Stats (increases/decreases since Aug. 23)

664,618 COVID-19 cases (up 14,703)
12,116 COVID-19 patient deaths (up 198)
2,856 COVID-19 patients hospitalized (down 143)
480 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (up 10)
Dr. Robert Peltier notes that it appears we have reached our peak as state numbers are slowly starting to slope downward.
As of Aug. 11, unvaccinated COVID-19 patients account for:
89% of cases
80% of patient deaths
91% of hospitalizations.

NOHS Stats (increases/decreases since Aug. 23)

NOMC:
- 65 COVID-19 patients hospitalized (down 20)
- 8 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (down 7)
- 8 COVID-19 patient deaths (all unvaccinated)
NORH: 15 patients (0 COVID+); 3 possible admits
Hood: 14 hospitalized (0 COVID+); 5 COVID+ ED boarders; 1 employee out monitoring at home
Tested 35,368 (up 445)
5,723 positive test results with 1 test pending (up 88)
1,509 COVID-19 patients recovered (up 21)

Staffing & Volume

MICU 2 has 3 patients.
ER has 18 boarders as of 7:30 a.m.
We are currently on diversion for everything but trauma and stroke.
Staffing remains extremely tight. Supplemental staffing contingency plans remain active.
ER Infusions continue on Med I with 65 completed since Aug. 23.
Drive-Thru COVID Testing by appointment remains open with 218 tests performed since Aug. 23 and 15 appointments scheduled so far for today.
Non-emergent elective surgeries are suspended next week at NOMC. Today’s cases include:
9 at NOMC
17 at Surgery Center
2 in Cath Lab
1 in Endoscopy.
Employee Wellness returned 24 employees back to work since Aug. 23, leaving 41 out monitoring symptoms at home (10 RNs; 0 respiratory therapists).
Clinics are stable.
Supply levels are good. We have more than enough PPE.

Infection Prevention

An update has been posted to the OakLink COVID-19 Toolkit for “Guidelines for Approved PPE during Patient Transport.” See the highlighted section of the guidelines. These guidelines apply to anyone transporting COVID isolated patients for any reason.
Please remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to eliminate opportunities for COVID and other pathogens to harm our patients. Pathogens are not picky; they are opportunistic. While pathogens may not cause obvious harm to one person, they could take the life of the next if given the opportunity. This is why basic prevention measures must be followed by everyone with every patient for the safety of all.
Top 5
- NEVER put mask or other used PPE items down on work surfaces or on top of equipment.
- NO double masking.
- Discard N95 mask after a single use.
- Pay attention to hand hygiene.
- Discard ear loop mask when soiled or when suspected contamination has occurred. Don a new mask as soon as possible.
For further assistance, contact Infection Prevention Manager Amanda Morse at ext. 6414 or Nurse Ashley Foster at ext. 6440.

Vaccinations

The FDA has fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals, ages 16 and older. If you have been waiting to get vaccinated until the FDA fully approved a vaccine, the time is now to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones. Vaccinations are available at our Urgent Care Clinics from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Self-schedule an appointment at https://covidvaccine.northoaks.org or by calling (985) 230-SHOT [7468]. Since Aug. 23, these clinics have administered 65 first doses and 158 second doses.
Make an informed choice! Reach out to Dr. Robert Peltier at ext. 7755 or peltierr@northoaks.org for evidence-based answers to your vaccine-related questions. The public can send him questions at info@northoaks.org.
By all indications, we expect to receive authorization from President Biden to begin administering 3rd doses of the COVID vaccine starting Sept. 20. Employee Wellness and our Urgent Care Clinics are preparing to deliver 3rd doses to staff and the public when authorization is officially received. Specifics will be shared once official word is given.

Support & Encouragement for You!

First Guaranty Bank will provide dinner from Tope La Catering for the night shift on Thursday, Aug. 26.

Public Relations/Communications

Tangi 96.5’s Johnny Chauvin and Lake 94.7’s Charles Dowdy will lead a live “Ask Your Local Doctor” discussion with a panel of medical leaders from Northshore hospitals – including Dr. Robert Peltier – this Friday, Aug. 27, from 9-10 a.m. on Kajun 107.1 FM, Lake 94.7 FM, Tangi 96.5 FM, Highway 104.7 FM and the Boss 103.7 FM. Questions from the public may be submitted on the front page of the Northshore Media website at northshoremedia.net. Ask Your Local Doctor is a cooperative effort of Northshore hospital leaders and Northshore Media Group.
Marketing’s “Motivate. Educate. Vaccinate.” social media campaign featuring our providers sharing their reasons why the public should consider vaccination continues with ENT Tony Dennis, M.D. last week and OB/GYN Kimberly Guillory, M.D., to follow. Please like and share these short videos from the frontlines of the pandemic to help promote vaccination as the best defense against severe illness.

Other

We received word from the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Commission that North Oaks Medical Center has received its Birth Ready+ Designation distinguishing our birthing facilities as the best of the best when it comes to our commitment to practices that promote safe, equitable, and dignified birth for all birthing persons in the state. Congratulations to our Women & Children’s Services team!

COVID-19 will not win. Together, we’ve got this!

Your contributions are truly appreciated!