EvergreenHealth -
Community Message - 3.4.20
Dear Community,
Our goal in all of our communications is to help ensure you, our staff, providers and community, are informed with the most up to date information available.
As you can imagine, circumstances, processes and protocols are developing and evolving rapidly, as we work with collective agility to provide the highest quality of care in an environment of absolute safety for our COVID-19 patients, and all patients in our care.
Working in close collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), as well as the Washington State Department of Health and Seattle—King County Public Health Department, we anticipate on-going and multiple updates regularly—striving to make sure messaging is as timely and thoughtful as possible.
We continue to learn from, and respond swiftly to, these changing circumstances by creating new guidelines that will create and inform best practice models, to help ensure all COVID-19 patients are receiving the best, safest care possible, and that our staff and community are kept safe.
What's New?
- Screening Protocols
- The CDC has now categorized COVID-19 as endemic -- learn what this means
New Screening Protocols
In partnership with the CDC, we have updated our screening guidelines for COVID-19.
As of March 3, 2020, we have halted performing nasopharyngeal testing in our outpatient clinics, including all five urgent care locations.
Here’s why:
- The CDC has determined that COVID-19 is now endemic, meaning that the virus is now considered to be regularly found in our region amongst our population. Previously, only individuals who had previously known risk factors (including history of travel, exposure to a confirmed case), were considered high risk for acquiring the disease.
- There is increased risk of transmission when performing any nasopharyngeal testing.
- It is safe to see patients with respiratory illnesses with both patient and clinician masked similar to any flu season.
- We will be setting up a Respiratory Clinic for assessment and testing for patients with respiratory symptoms. More information will be available as soon as plans are finalized.
Screening
- Patients will continue to be seen in our clinics. The risk of transmission is low when the patient and clinician are masked, similar to influenza. Patients will be treated based on clinical presentation, just without nasopharyngeal testing.
- Patients who are asymptomatic (not experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19) will be seen as usual.
Once we have the Respiratory Clinic established, we will begin phone screening all scheduled patients for all appointments to redirect those with specific respiratory symptoms to the testing clinic.
It's now an endemic
The CDC has now categorized COVID-19 as endemic - What does this mean?
As of March 3, the CDC has determined COVID-19 is now endemic, meaning that the virus is now considered to be regularly found in our region amongst our population.
Previously, only individuals who had existing and known risk factors (including history of travel, exposure to a confirmed case), were considered high risk for acquiring the disease. We hope this update will provide more context and reassurance as it pertains to understanding your safety risk, which is similar to the risk of exposure we experience every cold and flu season in our communities.
Basic FAQ's
What is a novel coronavirus?
(from the CDC) A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
How do I protect myself and my family?
For current information about COVID-19 and recommendations for keeping yourself and your family healthy, we recommend these resources:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Washington State Department of Health
Seattle & King County Public Health
Snohomish Health District
If you have overseas travel plans, we encourage you to visit the
CDC travel site.
Our 24-Hour Nurse Navigators – Healthline is a free service available any time of day and night. Our consulting nurse service provides home care information, and can help determine if urgent care or emergency care are called for. Call 425.899.3555 with specific questions about COVID-19.
I’ve recently visited the EvergreenHealth Kirkland campus. How do I know if I’ve been exposed to COVID-19?
The likelihood of exposure from visiting the Kirkland campus for an appointment or to see a patient is a similar risk of exposure we experience every cold and flu season in our communities.
As always, it is important to remain vigilant in recognizing any symptoms and seek care according to current recommendations.
Who is most at risk for being significantly impacted by COVID-19?
Children, seniors and those with existing health conditions or compromised immunity should take extra precautions in remaining vigilant of symptoms and taking preventive measures.
For your protection and safety, please continue to follow everyday best practices to help prevent and slow the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Visiting EvergreenHealth & Your Scheduled Appointments
I have an appointment or services scheduled at the EvergreenHealth Kirkland campus. Should I cancel it?
At this time, appointments will continue as scheduled. Should there be any changes to your appointment or a different recommendation from your physician, we will notify you as soon as possible.
Is it safe for me to deliver my baby at EvergreenHealth?
While COVID-19 is new, our response is not. EvergreenHealth treats patients with a variety of infectious diseases on a daily basis. These patients are isolated and treated in appropriate spaces by trained staff using specialized equipment. We are trained and equipped to safely care for these patients and to protect the health of other patients and our staff.
According to the CDC, the most susceptible patients to date are more senior members of our community and primarily those with compromised immunity.
We encourage you to talk to your personal OB about your concerns and options.
I have a loved one currently in EvergreenHealth’s care on the Kirkland campus. Is it safe to visit them?
We continue to welcome visitors. However, if you have a fever or a cough, please return home and visit us when you are well. Children and those with existing health conditions or compromised immunity should take extra caution and consideration for visiting any areas in the community linked to confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As always, it is important to remain vigilant in recognizing any symptoms and seeking care when appropriate. Please visit
www.cdc.gov to learn more about symptoms and when to seek care.
We encourage you to continue to visit our dedicated webpage for information, FAQs and on-going updates:
www.evergreenhealth.com/coronavirus
It is important to keep in mind that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health, the King County Health Department and Snohomish Health District remain the expert sources for updates and information.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Washington State Department of Health
Seattle & King County Public Health
Snohomish Health District
https://www.evergreenhealth.com/community-message-3420
