DCH Offers Respiratory Care Screening Site

DAVIESS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OFFERS RESPIRATORY CARE SCREENING SITE

(Washington, IN) – Daviess Community Hospital has opened a temporary Respiratory Care Screening Site (RCSS) for screening and assessment of patients suspected of having the coronavirus (COVID-19). This military-grade tent/structure is stocked with medical supplies and is staffed by DCH providers, nurses and technicians. It is located just east of the hospital’s Emergency Department entrance in Washington at the corner of NE 15^th Street and Grand Avenue.

The staff at this site will assess the patient’s symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath to determine if further treatment is necessary or if home care is appropriate. Patients may be directed to this tent through calls to the DCH hotline (812-254-2764), telehealth or face-to-face visits with providers or a preliminary screening at the Emergency Department.

Patients who come to this tent will be verbally screened and asked to show identification. Questions will include the following:

1. Do you have the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, new onset of cough or shortness of breath?

2. Have you had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

Based on the answers and condition of the patient, tests for flu or strep may be administered. If tested, the patient will be asked to pull into a parking space and wait for results. Based on test results, a provider will advise the patient on next steps.

The drive-thru screening site is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 7pm. It is also open on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm until further notice. Only individuals with respiratory symptoms will be assessed at the site, which will be staffed by primary care providers and hospital staff.

“We are hopeful this screening site will better meet the needs of our community,” Keith Miller noted. “This location will allow our providers to screen patients in an environment that protects themselves, other patients and our healthcare professionals. It is also important that we reiterate that not everyone who visits this site with respiratory symptoms will be tested for COVID-19. We continue to follow CDC guidelines on which groups qualify for a COVID-19 test. Those groups include anyone who requires hospitalization due to signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and have had a potential exposure to COVID-19, and who are sick enough to require inpatient care. Other groups who would qualify are healthcare workers and first responders who show signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and who have had potential exposure to someone with the virus.”

Daviess Community Hospital recommends that individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home and take necessary precautions to self-isolate.

“We understand that people are concerned about not being able to be tested for COVID-19,” remarked Andy Houchins, DCH Physician Assistant. “We want to reassure them that they will receive an appropriate and through examination based on their symptoms. We continue to follow state and CDC guidelines for testing.”

If more serious symptoms develop, such as shortness of breath, patients should call their healthcare provider for direction. A trip to the emergency department must be limited to a true emergency. Daviess Community Hospital asks that for non-emergent situations, a patient is advised to call 812-254-2760 extension 1001 so that the hospital can be ready to safely provide care.

For more information about COVID-19, please call the DCH Hotline at 812-254-2764.

Daviess Community Hospital is encouraging everyone to please stay home if you have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath within the last 48 hours. Also, please thoroughly wash your hands and/or use sanitizer frequently and practice social distancing by not shaking hands, hugging, or engaging in any non-essential physical contact.

”As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will work closely with the local Health Department to evaluate the situation frequently and will be updating restrictions as advised by our local Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH),” said Tracy Conroy, CEO.

State and local health officials stressed during a recent news conference that anyone with symptoms should call their Primary Care Provider or hospital before seeking care. Advanced notice allows our providers to prepare for the patient’s arrival, reducing exposure to staff and other patients.

The best resources for coronavirus COVID-19 information are the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/ and the ISDH website www.in.gov/isdh/. Anyone with questions or concerns should use the ISDH COVID-19 website, the CDC website or contact their healthcare provider with questions or to learn the most up-to-date information about the outbreak and what steps to take. Questions about symptoms and many risk factors can be answered using the websites.