The COVID-19 statistics today indicate the average trend in new cases is still on a downward slope. If the trend continues this way for the rest of the week we will be safe in assuming we are past the peak. Certainly, the number of patients with suspected / confirmed COVID-19 has fallen in the Triage Clinic, the ED, and inpatient units as well. With this in mind, plans are well underway to create the “new normal” for healthcare in Hancock County, central Indiana, and across the country. More information to come on all this, but please know that things are moving in a very positive direction!
It is important to remember, the “normal” that we knew is unlikely to return until a preventive vaccine and more robust treatment options have been developed for this disease, but the interim “new normal” will be ever so much easier than what we are experiencing now. On another bright note, today would have been “tax day” but that has been moved off to July 🙂
If you have not yet had a chance to view it, please take a moment and catch the third video for the community that we created over the weekend:
- The Hancock Triage Clinic, Hancock COVID Triage hotline (317-325-2683 (COVD), and nurse@hancockregional.org email lines continue to provide needed service to the community during this time.
- Remember, the HPN offices remain open, though most of the visits are virtual (telephonic or video-based), so if you need to see your doctor, please call their office.
- Work to retrofit the Reflections unit to our first COVID unit is complete. The second floor of the Gateway facility has been converted for use as a 50 bed expansion unit in case we need it (and we pray we do not).
- The end of in-person patient visitation has gone well and we have used the e-visitation system to great effect a few times. We have revised the policy in relation to deaths and births – please ask your department director for more details. Learn more on e-visitation at https://www.
hancockregionalhospital.org/ 2020/03/friends-or-family-in- the-hospital-e-visit/ - We are blessed to be finding new avenues to obtain additional PPE and for a very generous community as well who are finding and bringing in additional supplies. Should you have folks in the community who would like to donate to the cause, please have them contact Nancy Davis at ndavis@hancockregional.org.
- We have developed a temporary transportation team and a food delivery team to help our patients to receive food items and make it to their health care appointments since other transportation options are closing for a while. If you have patients that need transportation assistance, please contact Amanda Everidge at Aeveridge@hancockregional.org.
- We have made arrangements with Fairfield Inn to house hospital associates and medical staff, as well as first-responders in the community, who need temporary housing if they are concerned about carrying the virus home with them. Our efforts are being coordinated by Gretchen Pike and Amanda Everidge and Hancock Health is covering the cost of these rooms and additional information. Please contact you department director for additional information.
- Do your best, prepare for the worst – then trust God for the victory – Proverbs 21:31.
All the Best,
Steve
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