“Good Friday.” The words might seem out of place in the midst of a global pandemic, with anxiety overshadowing us all and uncertainty reigning supreme. Rather than being out of place, I believe “Good Friday” provides exactly the certainty and hope we all need at this moment in our journey. “Good Friday” – a day on which the greatest gift in history was given. “Good Friday” – a testament to the ultimate power of sacrificial love. “Good Friday” – the required element in a plan laid from the beginning of time. “Good Friday” – the prelude to an event a few days later that would change the course of history forever.
As we celebrate this holiday, sheltering at home with our families, let’s focus on the amazing message it represents and know that our current trials are temporary and better days lie just ahead.
The next update will come on Monday as we provide a breather for the leadership team. If you have the opportunity, please take the opportunity to refresh, reinvigorate, and reflect on the many gifts God has given us.
- The Hancock Triage Clinic, Hancock COVID Triage hotline (317-325-2683 (COVD), and nurse@hancockregional.org email lines continue to provide needed service to the community during this time. We have now seen nearly 250 patients in the Triage Clinic and handled more than 1,000 calls on the triage phone line – kudos to all those who made this possible!
- Remember, the HPN offices remain open, they most of the visits are virtual (telephonic or vide-based), so if you need to see your doctor, please call their office.
- Work to retrofit the Reflections unit to our first COVID unit is complete. The second floor of the Gateway facility has been converted for use as a 50 bed expansion unit in case we need it (and we pray we do not).
- The end of in-person patient visitation has gone well and we have used the e-visitation system to great effect a few times. We have revised the policy in relation to deaths and births – please ask your department director for more details. Learn more on e-visitation at https://www.
hancockregionalhospital.org/ 2020/03/friends-or-family-in- the-hospital-e-visit/ - We are blessed to be finding new avenues to obtain additional PPE and for a very generous community as well who are finding and bringing in additional supplies. Should you have folks in the community who would like to donate to the cause, please have them contact Nancy Davis at ndavis@hancockregional.org.
- We have developed a temporary transportation team and a food delivery team to help our patients to receive food items and make it to their health care appointments since other transportation options are closing for a while. If you have patients that need transportation assistance, please contact Amanda Everidge at Aeveridge@hancockregional.org.
- For those associates that have the ability to take assignments in our personnel pools, please do so. We are beginning to have trouble filling all the needs and really need all hands to remain “on deck.”
- We have made arrangements with Fairfield Inn to house hospital associates and medical staff, as well as first-responders in the community, who need temporary housing if they are concerned about carrying the virus home with them. Our efforts are being coordinated by Gretchen Pike and Amanda Everidge and Hancock Health is covering the cost of these rooms and additional information. Please contact you department director for additional information.
- Do your best, prepare for the worst – then trust God for the victory – Proverbs 21:31
All the Best,
Steve
