Update: January 12, 2022

—FOR INTERNAL COMMUNICATION ONLY—

REFLECTIONS FROM PASTORAL CARE DIRECTOR KEITH KINCAID

“Loving Creator, thank you for a new day. Yesterday, we felt a chill in the air and the cold wind in our face. Today, the wind is calm, and the warm sun shines bright. Help us live in the newness of each day as we face the challenges of each moment with the knowledge that you make all things new. We give you thanks for the opportunities of this new day.”

State COVID-19 Stats

70,392 total positive cases
89 deaths since 1/5/22
1,999 hospitalized (up 712 from 1/5/22 for a 35% increase)
111 vented (up 63 from 1/5/22 for a 57% increase)

NOHS COVID-19 Stats

Since last week, positives have increased by 757 which brings our overall positivity rate to 32%.
1,766 recovered (up 30 from 1/5/22)
NOMC:
- 40 hospitalized (up 7 from 1/5/22)
- 6 vented (up 4 from 1/5/22)
- 5 deaths (since 1/5/22)

NORH: 14 patients (1 COVID-19 positive); 1 admit expected today
Hood: 13 patients (2 COVID-19 positive); 6 employees out monitoring

SITUATION OVERVIEW

CMO Robert Peltier, M.D., reports that the IHME Washington State predictive model for COVID-19 that we follow had previously forecast that Omicron cases would peak in Louisiana and Tangipahoa Parish around Feb. 13. However, the model shifted the peak to occur earlier than expected. Subsequently, we are expecting cases to rise over the course of the next 2 weeks instead of late February. With this surge, North Oaks is not experiencing hospitalizations at the same rate as other facilities in our region. So far, we have been fortunate to not be in the same boat as them.
Boosters appear to be stopping people from getting COVID and/or requiring hospitalization if infected. Adolescents and teens between the ages of 12 and 15 are now eligible to receive boosters. In addition, the booster interval for Pfizer vaccines has been changed from 6 months to 5 months from the date that the second dose of the initial vaccine series was received.

OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

Given the models and forecasts, Weekly Leadership Update Calls with “everyone” emails will continue on Wednesdays until further notice. The email update also will be shared via the Employee News Line at ext. 6397 (NEWS) and the Employee Closed Group Facebook Page. To join the group, visit www.facebook.com/groups/nohsemployees. You must have a personal Facebook account to join the group.
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing continues on weekdays. Schedule an appointment at covidtest.northoaks.org or by calling (985) 230-7777.
The COVID-19 Hotline continues to operate 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Dial (985) 230-CV19 for assistance.
Visitation policies remain in force as follows:
- Non-COVID-19 patients in all areas, including clinics and the ED, are allowed to have one visitor/support person at a time with no swapping. There are two exceptions. Pediatric patients may have both parents visit at the same time. Laboring mothers may have two support persons.
- COVID-19 positive patients are never allowed to have visitors unless end-of-life.
- Important: We are limiting facility access right now to keep our patients and staff safe. As a result, visitors wishing to join staff for their meal breaks will not be allowed inside until further notice. Instead, staff are welcome to take their meal breaks outside with their visitors as weather permits.
Take note of these Infection Prevention measures:
- There are no exceptions to universal masking. Double masking and cloth masks are strictly prohibited.
- Keep all PPE centrally located on nursing units so that it is readily available for everyone. Do not store PPE in individual patient rooms. This applies to all units.
- Authorized visitors must comply with all isolation precautions (i.e., PPE and hand hygiene). There are no exceptions.

STAFFING, VOLUME & SUPPLIES

Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau reports that we have returned 78 employees back to work since Jan. 7, leaving 75 out monitoring (16 RNs and 1 RT).
CNO Kirsten Riney reports that staffing is extremely tight. Agency and SNAP nurses continue to support our team.
CFO Mark Anderson reports that supply levels are extremely good.
Supply Chain Director Carol DeVault reports that COVID Supply Forms have been updated and are more user-friendly. Access the form from OakLink to ensure that you are using the most recent version. This will ensure that you receive your supplies in a timely manner and in correct amounts.
Clinic and Diagnostics volume are stable.
Urgent Care volume at all locations is up and averaging 200 visits/day overall. For safety, patients seeking COVID-related care are asked to wait in their cars until it’s time for them to be seen. Also, individuals seeking COVID vaccinations and boosters are able to access the clinic through a separate entrance at the Ponchatoula and Hammond locations.

REMINDERS

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, call Employee Wellness immediately at (985) 230-SICK [7425] for timely testing and guidance.
Staff with COVID-19 questions are encouraged to email Dr. Peltier at peltierr@northoaks.org for assistance.
For further assistance with Infection Prevention questions or concerns, contact Amanda Morse at ext. 6414 or Ashley Foster at ext. 6440.
Until further notice, listen to Dr. Peltier’s weekly COVID update at 7:10 am every Thursday on Tangi 96.5 FM. Interviews also are posted to “MyNorthOaks” on social media and www.northoaks.org/coronavirus.

OTHER

Tangipahoa Parish Government will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home testing kits tomorrow, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or until supplies run out at the Loranger Fire Department, located at 53096 LA-40 in Loranger.
The Cafeteria will resume normal operations this weekend. We thank the Nutritional Services staff for all of their hard work and everyone for your ongoing support of this dedicated team!
The first floor of the NOMC Parking Garage is open. Reopening dates for the second and third floors are TBD.

Your efforts to improve lives and make a difference are valued and appreciated!

Together, we’ve got this!