| By Steve Whited, CEO Minnie Hamilton Health System
Thereâs a lot going on, and this has been a very tough week.
We are all tired, anxious, and ready to move on.
However, we must not let our guard down and stay in this fight. We want to reiterate what is being said by State and Federal officials, that social distancing is the only real thing that we can control, please help win this fight and keep your distance from others, practice good hygiene and wash your hands. Social distancing is helping us win the fight. Want to continue to thank the public for the everlasting endurance and support in this time of crisis. Stay strong!
- COVID 19 Testing. We continue our screening processes, and have updated our tools in accordance with the updated CDC guidelines. Currently testing supplies are meeting our demands, and we are still trying to secure supplies for our internal machines to perform the test, which will help expedite results. We are also following ongoing developments in other testing equipment and services. We, along with many organizations, are trying to secure the best tests possible for our community members.
- PPE supplies. Continue to explore all opportunities to ensure that we have the supplies needed. We are currently in very good shape with supplies. Working with other facilities/organizations on securing large quantities of PPE. You may have seen where we were part of the purchase by the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust , we are grateful for their generosity.
Working with Roane General Hospital on collaborative efforts surrounding PPE supplies, specialty services and Laboratory supplies. We are very thankful to Roane Generalâs staff and assistance.
We continue to adapt to the ever changing CDC and State guidelines. We continue meetings with our associations and local health departments. Continue to adapt and evolve procedures surrounding keeping staff, patients and community as safe as we can. We continue employees self-monitoring, temperature logs and report any health issues. We continue daily/hourly updates with State and Federal officials. Our team members meet each day at 9am.
- Stimulus funding. We continue to monitor and apply for all appropriate funding, as our goal is to secure all the funding we can for our organization and community. Recent announcements from HRSA that over $700K released to us for COVID 19 related expenses. This is in addition to the funding we have applied for specific equipment and salaries. We are very thankful for all dollars, as we are very fortunate in comparison to many other healthcare facilities.
Updated employee testing guidelines in accordance with CDC.
Continue public announcements surrounding visitor restrictions, patient flow and access, as well as information about the telehealth services. Telehealth services are going really well, and we continue to ask all community members to utilize this as a way of practicing social distancing. As always though, if a persons is in immediate need of medical attention they should call seek immediate medical attention. Televisits are extremely important, encourage patients to make an apportionment:
Grantsville office at 304 -354- 9704
Glenville office at 304- 462- 3407
- Follow CDC Recommendations for public wearing masks.
We continue our extreme caution and lockdown of the long term care unit, as our residents are a very vulnerable population and we continue the extraordinary efforts to keep them safe and healthy.
We are proud of entire team. Wish I could express in words how we are all battling and preparing.
Easy access to information per our website at the following link: https://www.mhhs.healthcare/covid-19.html
Please send me any questions or concerns. Happy Easter! Have a great weekend and stay safe, and God Bless all of us. | 
