Mask donations continue to be received and remain in critical need – both cloth masks for patients and mask covers made of surgical drape for healthcare workers. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information at (620) 343-6800 x22525 or dstorrer@newmanrh.org.
Hospital Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) has been initiated with a major focus on operations planning.
Surge plan would be triggered with 3 positive COVID-19 inpatients. At that time, the old ICU unit on 3rd floor would be opened where 8 patients can be treated in a negative pressure unit.
Based on CMS guidelines with a tiered approach of cancellation of non-essential/non-urgent appointments and procedures, physicians are to determine necessity on a case-by-case basis. This has resulted in a 30-40% decrease in elective procedures, but enables us to better conserve resources and decrease contamination/needless exposure.
Approximately 130 employees have been fit tested for their N95 face mask. We have a prioritization list of individuals in high need areas who are getting fit tested at this time. Current strategy is to conserve the use of those N95s due to critical nationwide shortage and unknown resources.
Staff continue to wear procedure masks and when caring for a person under investigation (PUI) or positive COVID-19 case, they utilize a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR).
Collaboration with Lyon County Emergency Preparedness continues with stockpiles of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
There is an opportunity for Newman Regional Health to begin in-house COVID-19 testing within their own laboratory which will enable quicker results within 1-2 hours of specimen collection. Date of deployment is unknown at this time.
Newman Medical Equipment closes lobby to the public until further notice, but are providing call ahead, curbside service and continues with delivery.
We have received a few requests about how people can help during this time. If interested, please reach out to our Business Development department.
CARES Act funding – provides cash flow assistance to Critical Access Hospitals with a periodic interim payment through our Medicare intermediary. We are one of 81 CAHs in Kansas. Application to be completed week of 3/30 – 4/3 with payout to be complete within 7 days.
Future of virtual visits for clinic appointments – currently exploring an application that can be used by both providers and patients. We are hopeful to have that in effect by April 6. It remains important to not expose all of our clinic staff and virtual visits can help with that by also providing a means for patients to be seen.
Respiratory Clinic update – 8-12 patients a day; currently looking at a plan to expand the clinic with both an increase in exam rooms and providers.
Importance of ‘Call Before You Go’
Stay at Home order – importance of doing what we need to now so that we can enjoy each other more later
A reminder that friends and family are able to send their loved ones online greeting cards during this time of no visitation – visit www.newmanrh.org for more information; flower deliveries are still being accepted