Friends:
I know I say this a bunch, but I mean it now more than ever
: “Thank you for all your teams are doing to provide quality care to Marylanders in need and to save lives.”
By some models we are days away from the Maryland COVID-19 acute-care surge. During this time, care will be more integrated and transfers across all settings will increase in efforts to ensure lifesaving care capacity.
As I wrote last week, I am seeing data that shows Governor Hogan’s orders, especially around social distancing and staying home, are making a difference in the acute-care projections.
That said, now is NOT the time to stop these efforts. Now more than ever before, SNFs and ALs MUST operate with observation and isolation areas
and
operate DRIVEN by your infectious disease protocol.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
In our setting, without broad state sponsored sector testing a month ago with our first COVID-19 case (and since), we are to some extent fighting blind. So the infectious disease protocol diligence and the separate units are critical.
ALSO:
- Appreciate, support, and over communicate with your care teams.
- Over communicate with families, residents, patients, and staff.
- Operate DRIVEN by your infectious disease protocol.
- Execute your observation and isolation beds.
- Work closely with your acute-care hospital partners and home health partners.
- Stay in contact with local health offices and the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ).
Recent Broadcast Media Clips:
Thank you. You are doing all you can! Remain diligent on infectious disease protocol, observation and isolation areas.
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do,”
Coach John Wooden.