As you are aware, the volume of COVID-19 positive patients in our community and hospitals is increasing rapidly. To best protect our ability to serve our communities, Kettering Health Network is alerting physicians of two issues related to elective surgical and other invasive procedures: length of stay and the potential for case postponement. In order to…
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PAPR Hood Conservation
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There is a delay in our new manufacturer’s distribution of PAPR hoods. To conserve our PPE PAPR hoods we will be cleaning the hoods between providers as detailed below. Units will be supplied with one (1) hood per PAPR blower. Inspect hoods prior to use for erosion or tears. Clean PAPR hoods with hospital-approved disinfectant prior to…
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COVID-19 and Flu Testing
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As we are entering the influenza season and are still seeing significant increases in COVID-19 patients, updates on available flu and COVID-19 testing are listed below with guidance to ordering the appropriate test for your patients. Current Process – Influenza NOT Present in the Community Below are two (2) scenarios for testing and admitting a symptomatic ED patient for COVID-19 …
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Changes to OB Visitation
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Maternity patients may have one (1) additional support person for a total of two (2) for the duration of the hospital stay. A COVID-19 positive maternity patient may have one (1) support person for the labor, delivery, and the immediate 2-hour recovery period only. The support person will then be asked to leave for the remainder of the hospital stay. The support person must comply with…
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Visitor Restriction Update
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To continue protecting the safety and well-being of our patients and our teams, we are updating our visitor policy. Effective Friday, November 6 at 8 a.m., current patients and patients coming for an emergency department visit, hospitalization, outpatient procedure, or office visit will be permitted one (1) visitor for the duration of their stay. No…
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Network Protocol for COVID-19 Unit Transfers
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Kettering Health Network is following ODH and CDC guidelines regarding when patients with COVID-19 can be moved from the designated COVID-19 units and have their isolation discontinued. Effective immediately, these transfers must be approved by a campus infection preventionist. The attending provider must contact the infection preventionist for approval before the NOCC will assign a bed.
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New Respiratory Care Locations for Symptomatic Patients
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Respiratory care locations provide a safe setting for your patients with respiratory symptoms or other symptoms associated with COVID-19. The patient will be seen by an advanced practice provider. The provider will evaluate the patient for testing and if deemed appropriate, a COVID-19 test will be administered during the visit. These locations are not just for COVID-19 testing alone. An evaluation must be completed for testing to…
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Stop the Spread: Be smart. Be safe.
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As we see the number of COVID-19 cases rise in our community, state, and nation, it is vitally important that we do all we can to stop the spread. Glitter is nothing compared to COVID-19, spreading easily from person to person. We must practice all safety precautions at work, and it is equally important to practice them when…
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Inpatient Rehab Visitor Hours
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Many of our patients on the Inpatient Rehabilitation units have medical conditions that put them at a very high risk of becoming sick with COVID-19. In order to best protect those patients and our care teams, we will be implementing new visiting hours. Visitors will now be allowed from 1-6 p.m., with exceptions for caregiver training and certain compassionate-care…
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Transport of Laboratory Specimens from Patients with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 Infection
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Because of the potential for exposure to infectious aerosols or droplets, it is not recommended to transport respiratory specimens from patients suspected to have, or confirmed to have, COVID-19 through the pneumatic tube system (PTS). Examples of respiratory specimens include •Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs •Nasal mid-turbinate (NMT) swabs •Anterior nares swabs •Nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate or nasal aspirate •Pleural fluids •Tracheal and lower respiratory…