COVID Volumes:
• # of COVID inpatients – 0; have had 0 for the last 3 days; no COVID admissions since May 12
• Cumulative # of COVID admissions – 37 with 10 direct transfers
• Approximate positive test results through Newman Regional Health testing – 240
• Continue to see approximately 13-20 tests administered daily within the offered sites at Newman Regional Health
Have begun seeing a slight increase in turnaround time for test results when utilizing Quest laboratory in Lenexa. Conversation has started on an additional laboratory resource. Newman Regional Health has initiated a pre-procedure screening test for surgical procedures that must be completed within 72 hours so it’s important to ensure we receive test results in a timely fashion.
It’s time to get patients back in. Care has been deferred for too long and it’s important that patients be seen to prevent a health concern from becoming an acute-level issue.
Lyon County EOC
• Down to approximately 38 COVID positive patients that Public Health is continuing to track
Hospital volumes
• Average of 82-83 patients seen per day in the Newman Regional Health Medical Partners clinics within the past two weeks which is approximately 50% of pre-COVID volumes
• Elective procedures began May 18 with endoscopies, general surgeries, and ENT. Age is limited between 13-65. After 1-2 weeks, age restrictions will be eliminated.
• Total joint procedure scheduled for June 1; OrthoKansas physicians have been back in rotation since May 4
• Cath Lab – May 18 for resumption of elective cases
• Sleep Diagnostic Center – May 4; 2 studies per week beginning May 18
• Cardiac Rehab – May 11 with 1:1 consultations; May 18 increase to 4 class participants at a time
• Pulmonary function tests – resumption on May 26
• Nutritional screening assessments – May 11
• Diabetes education – May 18
• Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy – June 1 for all therapy services
• Pain Clinic with Dr. Greenfield – May 21
• Pain Clinic with Larry Finley, CRNA – May 19
• Urology with Dr. Rupp – May 6
• Dr. Austenfeld, Urologist – May 1
• Wound Care – May 5
• Dr. Librodo – May 8
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – June 1
• Cafeteria – May 26 with specific self-service stations
• Swallow studies in Radiology (stroke patients) – May 18
To date, nothing shows that there has been any patient to patient cross-contamination within the facility – kudos to our infection prevention team, environmental service team, and all employees for doing their part.
Future of:
• Respiratory Clinic – May 26 will transition to become part of Express Care’s normal hours of operation. These patients will be scheduled from 1-5pm by a provider. Scheduling these patients allows for them to be automatically directed to an exam room and does not create an opportunity for them to be in a waiting room around others. A reminder that Respiratory Clinic is for patients that are experiencing potential symptoms of COVID but have an underlying need for care and should be seen by a provider.
• Drive Through – COVID testing will transition to Outpatient Laboratory on June 1; patients will be directed to enter through Entrance F in the previous outpatient laboratory location. If staff is administering more than 2 tests per day, a new process will be established where patients will be directed to use the current outpatient laboratory location at Entrance C and scheduled at a specific time of day.
• Virtual Visits – will slowly begin phasing out; the status of our Newman Regional Health Medical Partners group is a Rural Health Clinic which has waived certain exemptions for a specific period of time to make virtual visits possible as a COVID-19 response
• Screening of all patients, visitors, and employees will continue to Phase III along with visitation restrictions and mask protocols.
Latest from the CDC – studies are showing that COVID is not transmitted through touching surfaces
We have been making contact with patients that have had rescheduled appointments. Those with postponed or cancelled appointments/procedures are being contacted first.
The residual fear that patients have is common and natural, but we can assure you that you are safe coming in to the facility for your needs.
We are so proud of our community. Thank you to all community members that have respected the guidance from local entities and have been compliant.