The COVID-19 pandemic has made it crystal clear just how much communities rely on their local hospitals and also how much we rely on you. During the past few weeks, we’ve felt an outpouring of support and we are grateful to everyone who has delivered a meal, sewn a facemask, left a card, a sign or a chalk drawing, or who has just reached out to one of our caregivers and support team to say – thank you. Thank you for doing that.
Longview Regional Medical Center is used to responding in times of crisis. But, this pandemic is unlike anything any of us has ever experienced. And, we know it has created anxiety for many people, especially when it comes to seeking healthcare services. So, we want you to know two things.
First, you can count on us to maintain a safe
environment for patients and employees. We are taking extraordinary measures –
going above and beyond all of our normal efforts to keep our hospital and
clinics clean and safe – because if you need healthcare, we want you to feel
confident and to know you are protected.
We are screening everyone who comes into the hospital, providing
facemasks and other personal protective equipment to staff and patients,
rearranging our environments to enable social distancing, and, in the event we
ever do have any patients with COVID-19 at the hospital, we are caring for them
in an area that is separate and isolated from the rest of the hospital. Of
course, our cleaning staff is disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and
doing a terrific job of keeping the Longview Regional and Regional Clinics
clean.
We also want you to know that if you have
sudden symptoms that may indicate an emergency health concern, you can – and
you should – seek immediate medical attention.
Tragically, people with serious emergencies, including heart attacks and
stroke, are waiting too long for medical care. Getting fast medical treatment
could be the difference between life and death – so please, don’t ignore or
rationalize the signs of a health emergency.
Call 911, come to the hospital, and get the help you need.
The same goes for chronic conditions and even
routine healthcare needs. Many of our doctors offer telehealth visits for those
who prefer not to come into the office. But, if an in-person visit is required,
we are keeping our offices safe – so you can visit your doctor, if needed.
I am so
proud of our team and the way they have stepped up to this new normal. I’m also
proud of everyone in our community who has stayed home to help flatten the
curve and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Standing together we have seen how powerful our human connection really is. So, keep standing together – but stay six feet apart. Wash your hands frequently. Tell someone how much you appreciate them. And, if you need healthcare, please don’t be afraid. We are here and prepared to care for you, and also to keep you safe.
By Doug Luckett
Doug Luckett
is the interim chief executive officer at Longview Regional Medical Center