As hospitals around the world and throughout the country are low on supplies and treatment equipment in the fight against COVID-19, the local hospital Ascension Seton Hays talks about its preparedness and what the community can do to help our local hospitals.
1. Does your facility have enough supplies to protect staff from the spread of COVID-19, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer?
At this time, we have adequate equipment and supplies to care for patients. We are taking proactive steps with...
As hospitals around the world and throughout the country are low on supplies and treatment equipment in the fight against COVID-19, the local hospital Ascension Seton Hays talks about its preparedness and what the community can do to help our local hospitals.
1. Does your facility have enough supplies to protect staff from the spread of COVID-19, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer?
At this time, we have adequate equipment and supplies to care for patients. We are taking proactive steps with our distributor and suppliers to ensure access to supplies. We are arranging expedited shipments directly from manufacturers, assessing alternative products and taking advantage of our abilities as a national system to make intra-hospital inventory transfers when appropriate. We have also implemented conservation measures, in anticipation of further supply chain disruption over the coming months due to COVID-19. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for patient care is stored in a secure location in each of our hospitals.
2. Is there somewhere that residents can donate supplies? If so, where and are there any special requirements for supplies?
Ascension Seton currently has an adequate supply of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). We are now accepting donations from businesses and members of the community as a precautionary measure for unpredictable circumstances as we work to contain the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, Ascension Seton cannot accept donations that are handmade (e.g., sewn face masks) and is working with local and state health officials to determine if such items could be an option in the future.
Individuals or companies interested in making a donation of any kind should visit AscensionTXCovidDonations.org. Once the donation is confirmed, arrangements will be made to pick up the donation and deliver it to the appropriate Ascension Seton facility.
We continue to receive requests for additional ways individuals and organizations in our local communities can help, and we appreciate the outpouring of generosity to our healthcare system. We are working to develop additional ways the community can get involved, and will share updates on AscensionTXCovidDonations.org going forward.
3. What are essential surgeries that will continue? Is there anything local residents can do to help, such as donate blood?
Ascension Seton has postponed all non-essential, elective procedures until further notice. In order to protect against potential COVID-19 exposure and ensure the availability of resources to meet emergent health needs during this pandemic, Ascension Seton is following guidance by the CDC, the U.S. Surgeon General and American College of Surgeons which have recommended deferring elective procedures. Because every patient encounter is unique, individual care decisions are made on a case-by-case basis between caregivers and patients. Ascension Seton providers will continue to provide compassionate, personalized care and procedures when it is safe to do so for urgent and emergent procedures. If an Ascension Seton provider needs to postpone a procedure or appointment, patients will be notified to reschedule.
4. In general, what message would you like to share with the community and how can the community help local
health professionals?
We are pleased local leaders have issued a “shelter in place” order, as it is the best defense we have for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting our community and healthcare workers during this unprecedented pandemic.
Many people have asked what they can do to ease capacity demands on hospitals and lessen the impact to
healthcare workers on the frontlines. The single most important thing the community can do to help is to follow orders from local leaders and stay home, keeping a distance of at least six feet from people outside your household. But in order for it to work, everyone must comply.
Collectively we will do what it takes to meet the needs of this community. The situation continues to evolve each day, and we will adapt, as necessary, but we need your help in order to have a fighting chance at overcoming this pandemic. The sooner we act, the safer our community will be.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFO:
• Contact the Ascension Texas hotline: We have established a COVID-19 hotline for Ascension Texas. Available 6 a.m. to midnight, the hotline is staffed by triage RNs who will respond to public questions and implement the most up-to-date screenings and protocols to guide patients to the most appropriate care setting, including staying at home and/or virtual options. The Ascension Texas hotline is 1-833- 919-1680.
• Call ahead: To help prevent the spread of disease, the CDC recommends people with cold-like symptoms call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room to let the staff know about any symptoms and recent travel. Healthcare workers will work with your public health department to see if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
• Connect with the local public health agency: If you are unable to reach your physician, contact your local public health agency, or the state public health COVID 19 hotline: DSHS COVID19 Call Center is 1-877-570-9779
• Consider virtual care: To help prevent the spread of disease, people with questions about their symptoms may want to try “virtual care.” For easy access to a doctor for urgent care visits without leaving home, you can use online care from a smartphone or mobile device (laptop or tablet). Ascension Online Care offers visits with a doctor 24/7 from work, travel or home. Use code HOME for a discounted $20 visit. Download the app today at www.ascension.org/onlinecare. Available in all 50 states. No insurance required.