April 24, 2020
Community Update #6
Dear Community Member,
Our efforts to address the Covid19 pandemic began in earnest on March 9 when BMH initiated the Incident Command structure for disaster response. I know that everyone feels this time has been much longer as every aspect of our lives has been impacted. The changes implemented at BMH have been astounding; however, we are cautiously optimistic as we look towards the coming weeks. The following items provide some rationale for this optimism:
Operational Recovery Plan
–
Due to our community’s acceptance of social distancing, wearing masks, Covid19 testing and following the Governor’s Stay Home initiative, BMH has been fortunate
to date
not to see the surge of Covid19 patients that other communities and States have endured. As we focus on the future, we are now drafting a framework as to how we will begin to return to “normal” operations. This plan will be developed with input from our Clinician Leadership, Hospital Leadership and Staff, and our Board of Directors. Once we receive greater guidance from our internal teams and the State of Vermont, we will be able to establish critical dates for implementation. We should have greater clarity of these dates over the next two weeks and I look forward to sharing this plan with you as soon as possible.
Post-Acute/Nursing Homes
–
Over the past week, nursing homes have undergone resident and employee testing for Covid19. To date, they have encountered no positive tests. I want to commend these facilities on their efforts to minimize the spread of Covid19.
Covid19 Testing
–
Our testing process remains as follows:
if you are experiencing a fever and cough, please call your primary care provider.
Your provider will determine if a test needs to take place and, if so, will make those arrangements (time and location). No test will be administered without an order from you primary care provider. The Emergency Department (ED) continues to test for ED patients only. Our outpatient testing facility is located at 120 Maple Street, across from the helipad.
If you do not have a primary care provider, please call our Centralized Scheduling Department (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm) at 802-251-8777 to arrange for an acute appointment.
On behalf of the entire staff at BMH, thank you for all your efforts in continuing to minimize the spread of Covid19 in our community. Like you, I look forward to safely reopening all of our services to continue to serve your health care needs! Steve
