Monday, March 16, 2020
This week, there have been many local developments as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the country. But spreading even faster than the virus have been rumors and false statements regarding the disease and our plans to respond.
First, let me assure you that the safety of our employees, patients and visitors is our top priority. Both Cabell and St. Mary’s have implemented procedures for early identification and appropriate care of any potential COVID-19 patients to minimize any risk in accordance with the current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We are working together with the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, first responders, and local, state and national public health officials to coordinate our efforts and to provide updates and information to our physicians, staff and community.
As always, the best way to prevent infection is to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus:
If you are sick with COVID-19, please stay home. If suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, call your healthcare provider ahead of time so that the physician’s office can take steps to limit exposure. If your illness worsens — for example, if you have difficulty breathing — please seek medical care. Remember that we also have Mountain teleHealth as an option for you to receive care without leaving home. More information and instructions on how to use it are available on each hospital’s Intranet. With all of the attention currently being paid to COVID-19, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by information. The most current MHN information is available on our website at www.mountainhealthnetwork.org/coronavirus. Links to the most current CDC information are available there as well. Also, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has created a 24/7 information hotline to address public and medical provider questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 at 1-800-887-4304.
As hospital employees, you are representatives of the health community, and so I also ask that during this time you be cognizant of what you share on social media. Information about a patient’s identity or health condition is never allowed, according to HIPAA. In addition, our social media policies ask that staff not share any information learned during internal meetings as those items are for preparedness planning purposes.
We will provide further updates as needed when new information becomes available. As always, thank you for your commitment to our patients and communities we serve.
Thank you and take care,
Mike Mullins
President and CEO of Mountain Health Network