Like other health systems and hospitals across the country, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health continuously maintains a state of preparedness to manage disasters and public-health emergencies. This includes practicing how to contain an outbreak, adequately treat the sick and limit the spread of a virus, such as COVID-19.
“We began preparing for the potential arrival of coronavirus soon after the first cases appeared in China. Our efforts focus on a single goal: providing optimal patient care while protecting the health and safety of our health-care professionals and staff,” shared Jan Bergen, President & CEO.
In recent weeks, the health system has implemented various operational and clinical changes to ensure overall preparedness as the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the local community.
LG Health initially activated a task force made up of leaders from across the organization, known as Incident Command (IC). IC now meets twice daily to assess readiness, implement clinical and operational tactics and maintain contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and other agencies that regularly issue guidelines for the identification and optimal care of COVID-19 patients.
In addition, leaders are in constant communication with the other hospitals in the Penn Medicine system to coordinate preparedness efforts.
“It is important that we, through social distancing, reduce the rate at which new cases of COVID-19 come into the healthcare system. If we are successful, we will flatten the epidemic curve and thus stay within the capacity of our healthcare system to care for the expected surge of patients,” explained Joseph Kontra, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases.
To manage the disease within the community and protect the health and safety of employees, physicians and patients, LG Health:
- Established an open-air testing location at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences to screen and test patients for suspected COVID-19.
- Implemented screening questions for patients and visitors, as well as thermal screenings for employees, contractors and vendors.
- Enacted strict visitation policies at its inpatient and outpatient facilities.
- Supplied LG Health employees at clinical locations with protective masks.
- Coordinated ongoing blood drives at LG Health facilities to provide a safe environment for donations while maintaining blood supply.
- Set up tents at Lancaster General Hospital to provide additional patientcare capacity as the need arises.
- Opened a drive-through donation center at Clipper Stadium, where community members can drop off medical supplies and materials.
- Increased employee support through an Employee Health COVID-19 Call Center and Human Resources Call Center, as well as sharing updated UPHS HR Guidelines and FAQs.
Each of these efforts will continue to evolve as the needs of employees, patients and the community change in the coming weeks.
“As our employees balance the importance of our work with the needs of their own families, I can’t help but express my profound gratitude for their collective efforts during this extraordinary time,” reflected Bergen. “I firmly believe that this challenge will bring out the best in us as individuals and a community, and serve as a reminder of the many blessings in our lives.”