Page 26 - SFHN JUNE 2020 FLIP BOOK

Disaster ... Hurricane Preparedness ... Emergency Medicine ... Disaster... Hurricane Prep

Emergency Department Challenges During COVID-19 and Beyond

It is hard to believe that it that they have transferred specialized rooms separating them from tioned to successfully meet the needs of
wasn’t so long ago that terms at least 1,000 patients patients felt to be low risk for COVID-19. the people we serve. We are confident
such as “flattening the curve,” less in April 2020 com- All patients are escorted into private that in due time and with our heightened
“social distancing” and “self- pared to the same time rooms within the Emergency Depart - safety precautions and regulations, we
quarantine” were not part of last year. The fear of com- ment. In the hospital, as a result of can resume our normal activities and
our everyday vocabulary. But ing to the Emergency COVID-19 and for the foreseeable future, operational practices. Elective surgeries
here we are. It is clear that no Department is unwar- all patients who are admitted to the hos- at Holy Cross Hospital have already
one is immune to the effects ranted and is leading to pital are tested for COVID-19. This resumed and morale is as high as it has
of COVID-19 and we are all an unnecessary surge in includes all patients scheduled for elec- ever been, proving the resiliency of our
doing the best we can to cope. at-home deaths. Hos - tive procedures anywhere on our cam- healthcare professionals.
However, there have been pitals have implemented pus. In addition, facial coverings over the The future: During this pandemic, the
unintended consequences, measures to keep nose and mouth are mandatory and we spotlight on healthcare professionals has
leading to challenges in BY MARK E. CAPUTO, patients and staff safe and are providing masks for those who need never been brighter and we anticipate that
healthcare that we could not MD to keep COVID-19 one. In addition, temperature checks, trend to continue. Will COVID-19 affect
have imagined. patients in a separate area extensive screening processes and limit- interest in becoming an emergency health-
While it is understandable that the from non-COVID-19 patients. Patients ed visitation are in place to help ensure care professional? Likely not. In
public is concerned about the spread of should trust the excellent care they will the wellbeing of our patients and staff. Emergency Medicine, we know what we
COVID-19, the stay at home orders and receive and the safety of Emergency Disaster preparedness: If you fail to signed up for – handling crises is part of it.
nightly newscasts are impacting the Departments. Not handling what could prepare you prepare to fail. I am proud to On a personal note, I, along with my
healthcare industry in an unprecedented be a serious health issue may lead to say that at Holy Cross Hospital, we were colleagues at Holy Cross, appreciate the
way, specifically Emergency Depart - something more devastating. more than prepared for a surge in support from our community. Well-
ments. Communicating patient and staff patients and thankfully it has been much deserved respect and admiration for
Here are what Emergency Departments safety: At Holy Cross Hospital, we are less than we expected. We have leveraged those on the frontlines is something that
are facing: leveraging all of our resources to keep the resources from Trinity Health, the we hope continues well into the future.
Fear of the Emergency Department: our patients and staff safe. As emergency CDC, our local Department of Health
During this COVID-19 crisis, the public healthcare workers, we have always been and the State to ensure preparedness. Dr. Mark Caputo, Chief of Emergency
has been reluctant to come to the on the frontline facing unvetted, untest- Post COVID-19: While the task of Medicine at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort
Emergency Department even if they are ed patients. Patients with symptoms or planning during this pandemic was over- Lauderdale, can be reached at
ill or injured. Calls to 911 have decreased risk factors for COVID-19 who come to whelming, our emergence will result in a (954) 351-7860 or
and, Fort Lauderdale paramedics report the Emergency Department are placed in stronger organization that is best posi- Mark.Caputo@holy-cross.com.

Cover Story: Health Care District Cover Story: Jackson Emergency

of Palm Beach County: Planning for the Department Prepared for All Situations

Pandemic and Hurricane Season Continued from page 1

a fever, and if they answered yes, we direct- except for things like strokes or heart
Continued from page 1 scheduled for an appointment at any of ed them to the tent, maintaining social dis- attacks. "Most ambulances limit their trips
coach however, after two weeks the coun- our locations for testing.” tancing. We were able to swab them and when the wind gets to be 35 to 40 mph,
ty of Palm Beach reached out and asked us In order to get an appointment, Davis see if the results were positive or negative, and at 50, they don't come in at all. Once
to assist with mobilizing a State-supported says individuals can call 561-642-1000 to then send the patients inside to the proper we have the all-clear, we see more patients
drive-thru testing site at the FITTEAM be registered in their system and to receive area. – maybe they had been without their med-
ballpark in West Palm Beach.” instructions for the testing process. "It's been great. The tent is still open and ications or something happened while
Perhaps one of the few byproducts of “Testing for this virus remains an essen- the staff really has rallied. All nurses here they were boarding up their houses.
this pandemic, she adds, is that they now tial part of our ability as a community to at Jackson have risen to the top, but espe- Jackson is also a dedicated hospital for
have the capability to do much more with manage this contagion and will be with us cially in the Emergency Department, communities. If someone is on a ventilator
telemedicine efforts, and out of necessity, for the long-term until an effective vaccine where they are wearing gowns and masks or some other life support, we take them in
their patients at the C. L. Brumback is developed,” says Davis. “There are so and gloves, and working outside in this during the hurricane because we'll always
Primary Care Clinics seem to like the con- many unknowns about symptoms and heat. Those who are not able to be outside have power, and discharge right after."
venience of that method. whether or not someone can get the virus to help are disappointed." Inside the ED, The COVID crisis has not gone away,
“I anticipate that the demand for remote multiple times, it is going to be a constant Ellis said staff does not move around but but Ellis said it's important for people to
access to our providers will continue to part of our new world to test for COVID- works in the same area to help keep con- realize there are different aspects of the
increase,” Davis adds. “We will certainly 19 regularly. We believe that daily moni- tamination down. virus and they affect people differently.
support that, and believe it is an excellent toring and screening, as well as testing of Ellis said that overall, the ED is seeing "We see a lot of people who test positive
method of prioritizing patient needs, but our own employees every 30 days is going fewer patients. "A lot of people are work- but have minimal effects. There's no indi-
it will not and should not ever replace the to be an essential part of our new normal.” ing from home, they are not on the high- cation to admit them, so we'll send them
ultimate face-to-face encounters with our In addition to preparing for the pan- way. Here in South Florida there are a lot of home with instructions to take their tem-
providers who can assess patients more demic, Davis says the organization has outdoor activities, so our numbers tend to perature twice a day, stay hydrated, stay
thoroughly in the office setting.” also started planning for the upcoming be lower. We still see heart attacks, strokes, quarantined, come back if they get worse.
The Health Care District is currently hurricane season. but the numbers have definitely Others who are a higher risk – the elderly,
operating the largest drive-thru testing site “Our teams have been tested to the decreased." with high blood pressure, heart disease –
in Palm Beach County with the support of extreme over these past few weeks and The good news is that Jackson Memorial the virus has an affinity for them. They
Palm Beach County Emergency Services, stepped up to the challenge,” she says. “As is also seeing fewer COVID-19 patients; on may need additional oxygen or need to be
the Florida National Guard and State of we approach hurricane season, I believe the other hand, hurricane season is loom- put on respirator. We have to admit those
Florida Emergency Management. Addi - there is more comfort in preparations for ing. However, plans for that are already individuals, but those are not as many as
tionally, it has a smaller drive-thru site in that familiar foe, versus the continued underway. Ellis said, "We actually start those who are sent home.
Belle Glade and walk-up testing sites in unknown of the pandemic. Our ability planning for hurricane season at the begin- "It's important for readers to know that
Belle Glade, Jupiter, Delray, West Palm to communicate with massive numbers ning of April. We ask for volunteers who if you're healthy, not overweight, have no
Beach and Lantana, which is dedicated of patients and amongst our own team will be here during that time, then we start heart disease – if you test positive, there's a
primarily to first responders. To date, the members has never been better. I have compiling schedules with who will be good chance you'll be OK after a few days."
team has performed over 22,000 tests in no idea what the season will bring, but working and who will be our relief. Nurses No matter the challenge, Jackson
the County or approximately 43% of all we are better positioned from a ‘com- will probably work 48 to 72 hours before Memorial Hospital's Emergency Depart -
tests conducted in Palm Beach County. mand center’ perspective than we ever they get relief. As an organization we do ment is ready to help.
“Testing at our sites is available to any- have been in the past.” that early in April, then review and make
one of any age who self-declares the need sure we have enough nurses." For more information,
to be tested,” says Davis. "We do utilize For more information, visit She continued by saying that the ED sees call (305) 585-1111
our Lantana location primarily for first www.hcdpbc.org. fewer emergencies during a hurricane or visit www.jacksonhealth.org.
responders. Otherwise, anyone can be

26 June 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News