Healthcare providers adapt to new precautionary measures following the COVID-19 outbreak

Although, as of this Monday, there were no confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rooks County, healthcare institutions and providers are still among those working tirelessly as they take precautionary measures and put plans into place in case the inevitable happens.

Rooks County Health Cen-ter (RCH) in Plainville has taken several precautions, including what takes place when people enter the doors of the hospital for appointments, or to visit a patient.

Visitors to the hospital are to go to one of the two checkin centers located at the Main Entrance, or the entrance to the Rehabilitation Center on the north side.

According to Eric Sumearll, Communications Director at RCH, there are several guidelines that must be followed when someone checks in. First of all the person will be asked several questions, such as if they have visited out of-state, if they have been overseas, if they have been exposed to someone with the virus, etc. Their temperature will then be taken, and if they are cleared they can come in. If they are not cleared, they will be asked to go out to their car and call the COVID-19 triage hotline where the visitor will be assessed more thoroughly as to their exposure and risk.

Sumearll also noted there are limits on the number of visitors allowed in the patient rooms, as well as those coming through the doors as outpatients. “There can be no more than two visitors per room at one time for the inpatient and swing bed rooms, and those who come in for outpatient services at RCH are asked to only have one support person with them,” said Sumearll. “RCH prefers outpatients come on their own if at all possible,” he added.

As of last Friday, most therapy sessions at RCH are unaffected, however, the Phase 3 Cardiac Rehab Program for the community has been cancelled at this time, as has the Senior Wellness Program provided by RCH in downtown Plainville.

If someone suspects they may have the coronavirus, Sumearll suggests they call their healthcare provider first. From there, the caller will be asked several questions relating to where they have been in recent weeks, and who they have been around. COVID-19 testing has to be ordered by a medical provider and these questions will help the provider determine if a test needs to be ordered.

For those who don’t have a healthcare provider, they will be asked to call the hospital’s COVID-19 triage hotline at 785-688- 4449. This hotline is staffed by a Triage Team 24 hours a day and is there to help determine the best course of action if you have symptoms.

Again, the Triage attendant will run through the protocol of asking questions, such as what symptoms you are experiencing, where you have visited lately, etc.

AJ Thomas, CEO at RCH, reflected about the four new rooms that were added with the addition of the Rehabilitation Center. “Right now I am thankful these rooms were added, as that will give us more room to care for those affected,” said Thomas.

Also, during this emergency time, restrictions on critical access hospitals exceeding the 25-bed limit have been relaxed. In fact, if need be, hallways at the hospital could be used. Sumearll said, “Worst case scenario, we would be able to have patients in the hallways of the hospital if it comes to that.” Of course, he along with everyone else, hopes it does not.

Rooks County Health Department in Stockton is open and continues to do essential services such as blood draws, allergy shots, WIC, Home Health, and required immunizations, but it asks people to call before they come in. Lori Eichman, Administrator of RCHD, noted they are cleaning multiple times a day. “We are scheduling appointments further apart, which gives us time to clean between appointments,” she said.

When patients call for an appointment, they will be asked a series of questions, and their temperature will be taken when they come in to be sure they aren’t running a fever. If the patient’s temperature is normal, they will proceed with their scheduled appointment. Once the patient leaves, the area they occupied is thoroughly cleaned.

RCHD has been receiving more calls than usual. “When someone calls, it is forwarded to a nurse who helps answer their questions. The nurse then directs them to whom they need to call to figure out if they need to be tested,” said Eichman. At this time the health department is not testing.

RCHD is reminding people to wash their hands, limit travel and practice social distancing. Eichman added, “In order to flatten the curve, I feel over the next few weeks it is critical the people in our communities practice social distancing.”

Stockton Medical Clinic is open its regular hours, but their doors are locked as they have a parking lot waiting area in practice. Patients call in when they arrive and a nurse goes out into the parking lot and takes their temperature.

If the patient is temperature-free, they are escorted to a room to be seen by their provider. If they are not temperature-free they are not allowed in the clinic, but their provider is contacted and protocol is followed from there.

Stephanie Maddox, office manager for Post Rock Family Medicine, said, “Stockton Medical Clinic is practicing a parking lot waiting area, however, we are a little different because we are located in the hospital. Therefore, our doors are not locked, but we are following the RCH protocol for our patients coming in the doors.”

Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton is not allowing any visitors at this time. “We are also screening the staff before they come in to work, which helps provide the utmost healthcare to our residents,” said Amanda Atkisson, SVM administrator.

Atkisson added, “We are following the guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and are practicing social distancing between our residents and staff.”

Not only are the residents not allowed to have visitors, they are also not permitted to leave the facility. Atkisson noted last week took a little adjusting to the new routine, however the residents are taking it well. “They understand what is expected and why, and realize we are just following government guidelines,” said Atkisson. “We continue to work with our local city and county health partners, doing what is needed to keep people healthy,” she added.

According to Rooks County EMS Director Julie Cole, over the past several weeks, Rooks County EMS has been working closely with Rooks County Health Department, Rooks County Health Center, Rooks County Sheriff’s Office, and Rooks County Emergency Management to plan and prepare us for the COVID-19 pandemic. “Rooks County EMS’ main priority is keeping our communities safe and healthy,” said Cole. “We have been working with the above agencies to develop and implement special guidelines to not only keep our technicians and patients we serve healthy, but to minimize the possibility of transmission in Rooks County,” she added.

Cole stated she would like the citizens and communities of Rooks County to continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the KDHE and the CDC. “Please refer to the KDHE and the CDC’s website as well as Rooks County, Kansas COVID-19 Facebook page for updates on the progression of the situation,” said Cole.

The public is reminded if you are having mild symptoms associated with COVID-19, the need for an ambulance may not be necessary. Rooks County EMS suggests contacting the Rooks County Health Center’s Triage Team (785- 688-4449) to determine the proper course of action.

As of Monday, the latest statistics for the coronavirus show there are 82 positive cases in the state of Kansas, up 18 from Sunday, with two deaths reported. The majority of the confirmed cases are in eastern Kansas, with the two cases in Mitchell County being the closest in proximity to Rooks County. Johnson County has the highest number of positive cases at 32, followed by Wyandotte (16), and Douglas (8).

Remember to wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of it in the trash, stay at home as much as possible, and practice social distancing to help keep this under control. Let’s all be vigilant and do our part — take the threat of the virus seriously. Hopefully, in the not-sodistant future, this will all be behind us and we will all have grown in a positive way from the experience.