AdventHealth ED Guidance

I wanted to share some information about AdventHealth ED preparation for the care and treatment of COVID 19 patients. This information is the latest from our Emergency Services teams, but is subject to change as the pandemic changes:

Transports:

Any riders that come in with EMS must go through the screening process at the lobby of the ED. Please notify the ED upon radio report of the rider so arrangements can be made for screening. We ask that suspected cases of COVID 19 patients that are being transported by EMS do not have friends or family ride in with the crew. Of course, if children or other extenuating circumstance arise please advise the ED during the radio report.

EMS may enter the EDs with their PPE donned to take the patient directly to the assigned room. Every attempt will be made to give a room assignment upon EMS giving radio report prior to arrival. In the event a room is not given, please have the crew remain in the rescue/ambulance until a room is set up. Our ED team will notify the crew when the room is available, the wait time will be minimal.

Surge Capacity and Mitigation:

“AdventHealth is preparing to treat potential COVID-19 patients in a number of scenarios. Part of our planning includes the installation of tents should we need the additional space to best care for our community. The tents are not currently in use but will remain in place as part of our readiness efforts.” – AdventHealth

EMS will not transport directly to the tents, all patients will be evaluated at the ED.

The tents are not performing any testing for the COVID 19 for the general public and/or drive through capabilities. AdventHealth does not have any drive through testing for COVID 19.

Decontamination:

Please have the crews wash their hands before leaving the patient room after dropping off the patient. Good practice to follow for all patients being transported. There are hand sanitizers for the crews to use throughout the ED.

AeroClave Portable Sanitizer Units are available at all AdventHealth EDs, on the Northwest EDs the units are located at the EMS entrance to the ED. Other AH EDs have them stored in a locked room, please ask the assistant nurse manager for access. Please make sure the crews remove the container that holds the VitalOxide before closing the lid to the AeroClave unit.

As we are all aware, this is a very dynamic process that may change by the hour. I will attempt to keep everyone in the loop moving forward as changes occur that may affect our Fire/ EMS partners.

Thank you all, be safe!

Larry

Lawrence Marshall