COVID-19 Newsletter Update
MESSAGE FROM McLAREN LEADERS
On Friday, March 13, a national emergency to combat coronavirus was authorized by the White House. In response to this, McLaren Northern Michigan has instituted our emergency response plan and are taking actions to ensure we can meet your healthcare needs .

In addition, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-6 which imposed temporary restrictions on visitors to health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities. Beginning Saturday, March 14 at 9:00 a.m. all health care facilities were required to prohibit any visitors except for those necessary to provide care or that have extenuating circumstances.

This is an quickly evolving situation and we appreciate your support and diligence as we work to protect you and your loved ones.

Best Regards,

Andrew Mcdonagh, MD
Chief Medical Officer

Karen Denbesten, MD, FIDSA
Medical Director, Infectious Disease

Todd Burch
President & CEO
PUBLIC TRIAGE PHONE LINE
At this time, McLaren Northern Michigan is only testing patients who are hospitalized.

McLaren Northern Michigan has instituted a COVID-19 hotline to help relieve the concerns of our community. The information outlines signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and steps to take if you are concerned. There is an option to speak to a McLaren care team member if there are further questions.

HOTLINE: 231.487.5550
PATIENT ENTRY PROTOCOL
Per Governor Whitmer's Executive Order all individuals must be screened before entering any health care facility. When you arrive at a McLaren facility you will be asked several screening questions before entering the building. You may be asked to put on a mask before entering the building.

Petoskey Entrances for Patients:
Medical Office Building (Burns Clinic)
Hospital Main Entrance
Emergency Department - all patients entering through this area will receive a temperature reading and pulse oxygen reading

Cheboygan Campus Entrances for Patients:
Medical Office Building
Emergency Department - all patients entering through this area will receive a temperature reading and pulse oxygen reading

Valet Service in Petoskey is no longer available until further notice.
SURGICAL ELECTIVE PROCEDURE UPDATES
Effective Monday, March 16, McLaren Northern Michigan, in consultation with our Operating Room and Physician leadership, will assess the operating room capability on a daily basis. 

The reason for this change is not based on concern for transmission of COVID-19. This is being done in order to maintain the capability to support the physicians to manage our emergency and urgent surgical volumes. 

This evaluation is taking place each day based on the urgency of the patient need and balancing hospital’s ability to be able to respond to the evolving situation. This does not mean that all cases are cancelled. Cases that the physicians identified as urgent will still occur, while those cases that are non-urgent are being postponed.
VISITOR RESTRICTION
PETOSKEY & CHEBOYGAN CAMPUS
No Visitors Effective March 14 at 9 a.m.*
*exceptions are on a case by case basis
 
BOULDER PARK TERRACE
No visitors at this time
There will be exceptions for residents in end-of-life care situations.

McLAREN HOSPICE
No visitors at this time
There will be exceptions for residents in end-of-life care situations.

McLAREN ADULT DAY CENTER
No visitors at this time

McLAREN HOME CARE
Screening employees, patients, and home residents before each visit

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS
John and Marnie Demmer Wellness Pavilion non-patient care activities have been suspended, including exercise classes, support groups, and colleague use of gym.

Petoskey Walking Track and Colleague Fitness Room are closed.

Cheboygan Campus walking track and fitness room are closed except for patient care needs.
McLAREN NORTHERN MICHIGAN IS PREPARED
McLaren Northern Michigan has been working over the past two weeks to plan for when COVID-19 reaches our community. This is an evolving situation and our leadership and care team members have been creating plans and processes to make sure we are prepared for the patients that will need our care.

The current processes that have been put into place include the following:
  • Converting one floor in a respiratory isolation unit to care for those potential COVID-19 patients separate from the rest of the patients needing care. This will be staffed with care team members skilled in caring for patients needing critical care. If there is a COVID-19 patient, they will receive care on this floor.
  • Limiting access points for patients and employees into the building to make sure every individual is screened.
  • Implementing symptom screening at all McLaren Health Care facilities to ensure only healthy employees are able to be in the building caring for our patients.
  • Precautions are being taken to make sure that employees are wearing the proper personal protection equipment when caring for a patient who has the potential to have or is confirmed to have COVID-19.

As of March 15, 2020 there are NO CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES at McLaren Northern Michigan.
A MESSAGE FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation has been rapidly evolving. As a community, it is important that we all work together to keep our residents safe. Guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) include:

PREVENTION

  • STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK – also, individuals at risk of severe illness, including seniors and people with heart, lung, and immune disorders, should consider staying home to avoid others who are sick.  
  • PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING – remain out of crowded places where close contact may occur (shopping centers, movie theaters, etc.), avoid mass gatherings, and maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet from others when possible.
  • GET INFORMATION FROM RELIABLE SOURCES – there is a lot of misinformation out there. Should there be any new cases, the Health Department will work with our state and local partners to identify potential exposures to our residents and share information so that we can slow the spread.

IF EXPOSED
  • SELF MONITOR for 14 days.
  • STAY HOME until directed by the Health Department or your physician.
  • EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS, call the McLaren Northern Michigan hotline between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Hotline number: 231-487-5550
  • If your symptoms become LIFE-THREATENING, CALL 9-1-1.

For general questions about the Coronavirus, please utilize the MDHHS line from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136.

For more specific questions, please call our Public Health Information Line at 1-800-386-5959.

For updates, guidance and information, please bookmark our website ( nwhealth.org ) and/or follow us on our Facebook page . 
McLARENNOW - TELEHEALTH SERVICE
There is a telehealth urgent care opportunity through the McLaren COVID-19 website. Cost is $29.