To help the community be informed about COVID-19 (coronavirus), Community Patient Safety Coalition member hospitals, in conjunction with the Vanderburgh County Health Department, are recommending the following information and guidelines from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).
COVID-19 Signs & Symptoms
Reported symptoms have ranged from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
What To Do If You Are Sick
If you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19
OR
If you have symptoms and have recently traveled from an area known to have active COVID-19 activity, please follow these recommendations:
– Call ahead to your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and if you should be tested. However, if you have trouble breathing, experience pain in your chest, are confused or have bluish lips or face, get medical attention immediately (call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department).
– Stay home except to get medical care.
– Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. Stay in a specific room and use a separate bathroom, if possible.
– Use a mask, cover your coughs and wash your hands frequently.
People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
Some people are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications, including older adults; those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or lung, kidney or heart diseases; and those with compromised immune systems, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy or taking certain types of medications.
Those at risk should:
– Avoid crowds as much as possible
– When in public, should keep away from others who are sick, limit close contacts and wash hands often.
– Stock up on supplies.
– Additional guidelines for higher-risk individuals can be found on this CDC site: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
Higher-risk patients who experience COVID-19 symptoms should contact their provider immediately.
Protecting Our Patients & Employees
Several member hospitals are implementing visitor screening processes and further visitor restrictions, and others may follow. Patients who are hospitalized are already vulnerable to serious illness; we must also protect our employees. If you are unsure of visitation policies at a hospital, check that hospital’s website or call ahead.
Prevention
The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of this illness and other respiratory illnesses:
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
– Wash your hands well and frequently—at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or with hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
– Cover cough/sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
– Clean/disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Deaconess Health has created a website, www.deaconess.com/coronavirus, to share resources and information related to coronavirus. On it is information related to new patient options they’ve developed:
· a 24-hour dedicated nurse triage hotline for patients to call to discuss their symptoms, prior to coming to one of our facilities for care
· a MyChart self triage tool
· Their video/telehealth service, Deaconess Clinic LIVE, will be offered at no charge for the foreseeable future.
Resources for More Information
The Indiana State Department of Health’s Epidemiology Resource Center has offered a hotline for people who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms and who want to discuss their concerns. Call 317-233-7125 (or 317-233-1325 after hours).
The following websites offer helpful guidance for individuals and groups concerned about COVID-19:
– Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov
– Indiana State Department of Health, www.in.gov/isdh
– Kentucky Department for Public Health, www.chfs.ky.gov
– Vanderburgh County Health Department, http://health.vanderburghcounty.in.gov/covid-19/
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Community Patient Safety Coalition Hospitals Include:
Ascension St. Vincent Evansville
Ascension St. Vincent Warrick
Ascension St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital
Daviess Community Hospital
Deaconess Health System
Evansville Surgery Center
Encompass Health Deaconess Rehabilitation
Gibson General Hospital
Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial Hospital & Health Care Center
Methodist Health, Henderson, KY
Methodist Health, Morganfield, KY
Select Specialty Hospital
The Women’s Hospital