PCMH opens testing clinic

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Like most hospitals, Perry County Memorial Hospital is engaged in aiding the community as it deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. According to PCMH CEO Patrick Carron, the hospital is actively conducting testing for the virus and preparing to treat those who might be infected. “PCMH has set up special operations specifically for COVID collection,” Carron told the Republic-Monitor, highlighting the addition of an acute respiratory infection clinic and drive-through testing. “Additionally, the PCMH Emergency Department is currently testing patients who present COVID-19 symptoms.” The clinic, which opened Monday, is located in Building A across from the emergency room entrance, and is isolated from the rest of the building. Appointments to the clinic are by referral only. Carron stressed that patients who suspect they may have been exposed or infected should contact their primary care providers for evaluation and screening, and if appropriate, an appointment at the clinic and testing, if warranted, will be coordinated. “Do not come to this Acute Respiratory Infection Clinic without an appointment,” Carron said, adding that even with an appointment, patients are encouraged to call ahead to give staff time to prepare. “Perry County Memorial Hospital and its primary care providers have cared for patients and have obtained samples which have resulted in positive COVID-19 diagnoses,” Caron said later Tuesday during a video statement broadcast on social media. “Screening procedures and the use of personal protective equipment for patients and healthcare workers were in place at the times this care was administered and was consistent with [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommendations.” The Perry County Health Department has reported two confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Perry County, with the first report coming Saturday night and the second on Monday evening. Health Department director Sylvia Forester said Tuesday that number could increase significantly in coming days. “So far, our investigation has revealed six close contacts who have been approved for testing through the Missouri State Public Health Lab, some of which are health care professionals,” Forester said. “As of yesterday, the Perry County Health Department is aware of 13 individuals awaiting test results. This does not include the additional six we have identified.” Carron told the Republic-Monitor he couldn’t provide data on how many tests had been administered, citing rapid changes and lack of authority. “This changes hourly and is information the hospital is not authorized to release that information,” Carron said. “It is a reportable disease to the state and the state or local health department controls the release of such information.” Carron was able to give some insight into how long it takes to receive test results for the virus. “It depends on the lab that is used for the study, and the volume that lab is experiencing on any given day,” Carron said. “Additionally, the quality of the sample could impact the test turnaround time. Results have been received in less than two days, while other tests are still pending after seven days.” The test itself is fairly simple, he said, involving a nasopharyngeal swab from a patient’s nose deep into the sinus cavity, adding that patients must meet certain requirements to get tested. “These parameters are set by the CDC and change with the evolution of the disease, test kits available in different regions, etc.,” Carron said. “We suggest that patients refer to the CDC for testing guidelines and primary care providers for whether a patient qualifies for a test.” Carron said that if a person feels they have been exposed or might have been infected with COVID-19, they should contact their primary care physician for a telemedicine or in-person appointment, or for a direct referral to the hospital’s acute respiratory infection clinic. “If a patient is suffering from acute respiratory distress or another emergency conditions, call 911 or go directly to the ER,” Carron said. In preparation for a possible influx of patients, the hospital’s licensed bed capacity of 25 has been lifted, but, Carron said, its capacity given space, personnel and equipment would be roughly 30 patients. “This is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to obstetric patients, isolation patients, ability of patients to share rooms, staffing requirements, patient acuity, etc.,” Carron said. The hospital has two ventilators which may be able to support more than one patient per unit, two ByPAP machines which are able to provide some support to a patient’s respiratory systems, and four anesthesia machines that have ventilator support. As for personal protective equipment, including gowns, gloves, masks and so forth, the situation remains fluid. “Currently, we are using more personal protective equipment than normal,” Carron said. “We continue to get the maximum supply permitted by vendors weekly. We are conserving PPE based on CDC advice.” Carron said hospital staff are taking every precaution to stay healthy and advised that area residents should follow some of the same precautions, including limiting social exposure; good hydration, rest and nutrition; and personal temperature tracking; while avoiding travel and unnecessary exposure to unprotected sick individuals. And, as always, good hand-washing hygiene techniques are very important. In a worst-case scenario, Carron PCMH has plans to convert certain care areas into respiratory support units, but that such measures would still be limited. “The best case scenario would be our community-wide efforts to stop the spread of COVID result in the care demands falling short of our healthcare system’s maximum capacity,”