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Update: March 31, 2020

Updated 11:37 a.m., 3/31/20

  • It’s Tuesday!
  • Governor Edwards has extended his stay at home order through April 30, 2020.
  • Today’s Numbers from the State: 4,025 Cases in 59/64 parishes with 185 deaths. 1,158 COVID-19 positive patients are hospitalized; 385 are on vents. We are investigating a discrepancy in the numbers that the state is reporting for Tangipahoa Parish – they are low. North Oaks has reported 58 positive test results (inpatient and outpatient.) One COVID-19 patient at North Oaks passed yesterday.
  • Employee Wellness: Everyone is encouraged to take good care of themselves as we navigate through the pandemic. We currently have 35 employees at home, isolating and monitoring their temps. Leaders – if you send anyone home with COVID-19 symptoms, please call employee wellness at x. 5706.
  • Donations: We are asking the public for donations of Clorox or Lysol wipes, as PDI wipes are in short supply. Please remember that wipes/supplies approved for hospital use will have a yellow sticker saying “Approved for Hospital Use.” If you see branded wipes/supplies without that sticker, please remove from use.
  • There has been a request for showering facilities for staff to use before going home. At this time, per CDC guidelines, this is not necessary when appropriate PPE has been worn.
  • Employees who have been trained as a nurse or respiratory therapist are asked to identify themselves to HR, even if this isn’t your current job responsibility. As volume increases, we want to provide you with additional training and deploy you to partner with bedside nursing staff.
  • Michele announced that the Employee Emergency Relief Plan is going to be extended to PRN nurses and respiratory therapists who join North Oaks full time. After six months those employees will be eligible for the PTO and buy-back benefits. Not only will we gain permanent North Oaks family members, but we’ll decrease contract labor expenses.
  • Leaders – please continue to flex staff while clinic and surgery volume is down.
  • In an effort to encourage our community to stay home and stay safe, we are preparing yard signs that say “A Health Care Hero Lives Here. Please Stay Home for Me.” We will provide details on distribution as soon as they are available.
  • On Saturday and Sunday, the main entrance to the hospital will close after scheduled patient testing is completed. Employees may enter through the Tower Lobby from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. or the Emergency Department 24/7.
  • Telehealth: Dr. Robinson will begin piloting telehealth through myChart tomorrow. Stay tuned for information on a wider rollout to other employed providers.
  • Population Health performed 45 virtual visits, 190 calls and 95 walk-in clinic visits yesterday. The drive-through screening station did 120 tests; 32 were on the schedule as of this morning, with the number of appointments expected to increase.
  • Michael Watkins and his team have finalized a unit overflow plan to use if needed.
  • Check the web site and Facebook for two videos from Michele yesterday: one wishing our docs a Happy Doctor’s Day and another updating the community on North Oaks’ preparedness as the pandemic plays out.
  • We continue to interview for vacant positions, especially in nursing and respiratory. Please spread the word.
  • And a personal apology from me to Saints fans everywhere for misspelling Drew Brees’ last name yesterday. I’m not a big football fan, but as a Texan, I shoulda done gooder. :)