Bob Wright, CEO
Respiratory Clinic and Drive Thru specimen collection has seen a significant increase in patient number this week. The number of inpatients is staying consistent between 2 to 4 since April 6.
Overall increase in administered tests this last week with an average of 30 tests administered per day.
Hospital admission rate is currently not increasing with the increase in testing/positive cases this week. Surprised but pleased to see that the increase in testing numbers is not resulting in an increase in hospital admissions. May mean that those testing positive do not have many of those comorbidities that tend to require a medical need seen by some COVID patients.
County EOC update
Multiple discussions on community testing and how it’s going with Tyson employees. Management at Tyson is doing employee screenings as they come into work and directing them to testing, if needed.
Kudos to the Tyson plant for coordinating employee screenings and testing.
Close to 30 tests administered through the Lyon County Public Health drive thru collection on April 23.
Kansas National Guard helping administer testing and contact tracing with Lyon County Public Health.
# of inpatients currently in COVID unit – 2
Cumulative # of COVID admissions – 15
Respiratory Clinic # – average of 8 this week
Drive Thru # – 85 specimens collected Monday – Thursday of this week
Tests administered to date – 416
Test supplies available
Assistance from ESU for the transport media (850) and swabs. Swabs are made in batches of approximately 100. With this help, we are able to maintain our current rate of testing as we move forward.
With 30 tests a day, we were approaching what could have been a critical shortage of testing supplies that would have only allowed for another week.
Testing criteria for patients has been liberalized and opened.
The current limitation remains testing supply.
PPE update
A number of requests are out at the state and county level for additional PPE (masks).
Likely to run out of procedure masks toward the end of the week of April 27 and at that time, we will deploy the N95 masks.
N95 masks are intended to be used as respirators that provide high end protection for airborne illnesses, but most of our staff will be utilizing them as procedure masks to result in droplet level protection.
Providers, nursing staff, and respiratory therapists will be utilizing the N95 masks as respirators.
Clinical care staff providing direct patient care for COVID-19 patients are using PAPRs (powered air purifying respirators).
Child Birth
One (1) designated individual during labor and delivery and for the duration of the mother’s hospital stay.
Surgical Patients
One (1) designated individual who must remain in the waiting room and will not be allowed to enter the Same Day Surgery Unit.
Critical Care Patients transferring to a tertiary facility
Two (2) designated individuals
Patients at Time of Discharge
One (1) designated individual to pick up the patient at Entrance “F” or the ER Entrance. Staff will deliver the patient to these entrances wearing proper PPE per our patient transport policy.
Pediatric Patients (under age 18)
Two (2) designated individuals for the duration of the hospital stay
Patients experiencing end-of-life
Two (2) designated individuals
Staff is coordinating video phone calls for inpatients to speak with and see loved ones, family, and friends.
Visitors are encouraged to use the online greeting card feature offered on our website at .
State vs. Lyon County restrictions
Right now, state and county restrictions are aligned pretty well.
Going forward, as the state begins lifting restrictions the first week of May, it is doubtful that will take place for Lyon County.
Lyon County shouldn’t expect to open up similar to other counties in the state.
Opening up too soon is a precursor to spread the illness and increase the potential risk of death.
Governor announced approx. 2 weeks ago that county restrictions, if more restrictive, can supersede the state orders.
Know your body and do not ignore signs and symptoms!
Signs and symptoms seem to be changing slightly. Fever and cough still remain on the list, but it’s becoming more extensive to include headaches and tiredness.
Kudo Board
– Community members are invited to send their thanks, stories, and encouragement to the health care team at Newman Regional Health and Newman Regional Health Medical Partners.
Community Support
We want to extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to the community for all their efforts in showing essential workers how important they are during this time.
All community outreach is being facilitated through the Business Development department at ext. 21920.
Update on cloth mask usage
Thank you to the community volunteers supplying handmade masks for patients.
Need remains great as more than 1,300 masks were distributed this week to different areas throughout the hospital/clinics for patient use.
Reminder to community to please wear their own personal mask