Sky Lakes sees record number of COVID-19 patients, opens a second isolation unit
Sky Lakes President and CEO, medical community leaders, ask people to help decrease COVID exposure in the community. Read Mr. Stewart's remarks.
Wearing masks helps limit the spread of disease and provide a safe environment for patients, visitors, providers and employees. In this video, CEO Paul Stewart promotes masks as a safety measure, and describes the lab experiment that illustrates their effectiveness.
Face masks are an important tool in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Here's what you should know about the pros of masking up.
Washington Post editorial: Face masks are vital to stopping the spread of the virus. (PDF)
Masks and physical distancing can greatly reduce the risk of transmitting the disease, according to an extensive study published in The Lancet, a leading scientific journal. The report is among the first to lay out evidence specific to coronaviruses, rather than extrapolating from data on other respiratory viruses. Among the findings: The use of masks reduces the odds of infection to 3% from 17%.
Sky Lakes has updated our visitor policy in response to current COVID-19 precautions. Patients are limited to one visitor at a time. While at the medical center: visitors must wear a mask at all times, maintain 6 feet physical distance, and limit traveling within the hospital. Unless face-to-face communication is required, please conduct your necessary medical center business by telephone.
In our continuing effort to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, beginning Monday, December 21, Sky Lakes will resume screening patients and visitors at the medical center's primary entrances.
That means the Day Surgery entrance on the south side of Sky Lakes Medical Center will be closed to the public. Patients and visitors will be asked to use the main entrance and the Emergency Department entrance.
When entering the medical center, patients and visitors will be required to appropriately answer a series of screening questions before being allowed in. Masks are still required when in any Sky Lakes facility.
Sky Lakes screeners will staff the main entrance 6:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. That entrance is closed Sundays.
The Emergency Department entrance will be staffed 5:45 p.m. to midnight daily. Staff in the Sky Lakes Communication Center will ask the questions when screening staff are not on duty.
The Family Birth Center entrance will remain available to those patients and their visitors. Family Birthing staff will screen patients and visitors at that entrance until new screeners are in place.
Responding to feedback from patients and families, Sky Lakes Medical Center leadership has decided that one support person will be allowed to accompany patients getting outpatient procedures done at the medical center. Support persons will need to wear an appropriate face mask and observe physical distancing (at least six feet) while on site. Limits on where individual visitors can go will be evaluated case-by-case. Earlier restrictions regarding support persons were in response to state rules intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The change is effective immediately. Support Person Policy.
The drive-up Sky Lakes COVID-19 Test Site outside the Sky Lakes Community Health Education Center is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. weekdays; closed weekends. The diagnostic (PCR) tests are encouraged for people who suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or those who believe they have symptoms. Any person older than 2 may be tested without a physician's order. Sky Lakes will collect and bill health insurance, when available, and there should not be any out-of-pocket expense at this time, however, please check with your insurance provider as to how your plan will be treating the test.
National hospital, physician, and nurse organizations urge public to take steps to stop COVID-19 spread.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, face coverings or masks are now required statewide for all adults and children 5 and older in all indoor public spaces and outdoors when physical distancing isn’t possible.
"Yes, Face Mask Protection Helps Slow the Spread of COVID-19" is the headline of a Mayo Clinic News Network story published in the Herald & News. (PDF)
An instructional video describes the steps. Thanks to the local Project Linus Chapter.
The original design "COVID-19 face mask" (PDF) courtesy Tater Patch Quilts, Merrill.
Sky Lakes CEO Paul Stewart said the potential effects of COVID-19 are "terrifying." His commentary outlines steps people can take to help prevent its spread. Watch the video (3 min.).
Don't sew? Watch this video for instruction on how to make a no sew mask.
What to know about cloth face masks.
A Sky Lakes nurse reinforces the stay at home guidance. Watch the 30-second video.
Sky Lakes President and CEO Paul Stewart's updates on what the medical center is doing and what individuals should be doing.
Even as we continue to fight COVID-19, Sky Lakes is still here to care for our community in every way, every day. As many people have delayed care during this public health crisis, we want to emphasize we are ready and able to serve you, just as we always have done and will continue to do. Watch a 30-sec. video produced by the American Hospital Association.
Learn more about the Your Care Continues campaign launched by the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. Watch the 30-second TV spot.
Safer and stronger, together includes COVID-19 handouts and other resources collected by the Healthy Klamath coalition.
The Klamath County Public Health provides up-to-date information regarding the respiratory disease.
For many, a trip to the grocery store has become a source of stress. Try practicing these tips from AARP to keep yourself safe from coronavirus.
COVID-19 Scam Alert information (PDF). Cuidado con las estafas COVID-19 (PDF).
Details on restarting public life and business, prerequisites for a phased reopening.
Elective procedures available again at Sky Lakes. It's safe to return.
Printable communication cards for People who are Deaf (PDF) and Hard of Hearing (PDF)
Sky Lakes Physician Answers COVID-19 Questions
Part II: Sky Lakes physician on variability of COVID-19 effects
Sky Lakes physician on coronavirus and being active.
Dr. Wendy Warren's thoughts on "Physical distancing is a responsibility we all bear."
"We are taking strong actions so we can further 'flatten the curve' of this pandemic and slow the spread of COVID-19. Our best defense against a disastrous spread of this disease is isolating the chances of exposure. Among other things that means social distancing—a physical distance of at least 6 feet—and avoiding crowded spaces.
"Be calm and be prudent, but please take this situation very seriously. The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented but not unexpected, and Sky Lakes will be ready."
Sky Lakes on Tuesday, March 17, tightened visitor restrictions to help slow the spread of the virus. Read more.
A story by the Washington Post explains why outbreaks like this coronavirus spread so quickly.
The Klamath County Public Health provides up-to-date information regarding the respiratory disease.
The current situation in Oregon, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
FAQs from federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the agency's current COVID-19 situation summary.
Learn more about the pandemic's status in Oregon.
Thank you, healthcare heroes! (printable PDF poster)
Oregon Department of Agriculture Resources for agricultural workers
COVID-19 (coronavirus) resources en Español:
Coronavirus and COVID-19 myths busted by the WHO.
Print and post the Stop the Spread of Germs poster (PDF).
Patient education: COVID-19 basics (PDF)
Sky Lakes visitation rules, flu testing site information.
Optimizing N95 supplies (PDF)