Gettysburg Hospital Responds to Questions about Coronavirus Preparedness

Gettysburg Connection recently asked Will Lavery, Manager of Public Relations and Communications at WellSpan Health, to comment on Gettysburg Hospital’s readiness for an expected increase in coronavirus cases in the county.

Lavery took time out of his busy schedule to answer them for us. Here are his responses.

Lavery asked us to remind the community that the majority of patients (roughly 80%) who test positive for COVID-19 can self-isolate at home following testing as part of their recovery.

Has the hospital tested anyone for COVID-19?

Yes, we continue to collect testing samples from individuals that have been directed by their physician based on their symptoms, their travel to impacted countries, or their contact with someone known to have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

What steps are being taken to prepare for COVID-19?

Our care teams are meeting daily to ensure we are meeting the needs of patients.With regards to screening and testing,
WellSpan continues to utilize the use of open-air evaluation and treatment/testing sites. These areas can be used to collect test samples for patients who have symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, (COVID-19).

What Should People Who Think They May Have Coronavirus Do?

Patients should call their primary care provider for screening before coming to an open-air location.

In addition to the open-air evaluation site at the hospital, WellSpan has opened additional non-hospital testing/treatment locations, including one in Fairfield at the WellSpan Family Medicine location at 4910 Fairfield Road and another location at the WellSpan Adams Health Center on V-Twin Drive. Patients who have already been screened by a physician may be directed to this location for a more efficient means to offer testing/treatment for patients.

Patients can also take advantage of an online screening tool available on WellSpan.org/Coronavirus to determine if they may be at risk for COVID-19. Also, patients are encouraged to use WellSpan Online Urgent Care to be seen quickly and safely, without the need to travel to a care location. Patients can visit WellSpan.org/OUC to get started.

Overall, is the hospital prepared for COVID-19?

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital continues to take quick action to develop solutions for our response to COVID-19 coronavirus. Our teams are meeting daily to ensure we continue to meet the needs of all patients.

We have implemented significant measures to limit the spread of the disease.

We have enacted visitation restrictions at our hospital and outpatient locations, with just a few certain clinical exceptions. We are conducting mandatory COVID-19 health screenings at hospital entrances and we have suspended all volunteer activities

Certain ambulatory and community services have been temporarily consolidated and/or suspended based on the type of service and the determination that a delay will not result in detriment to our patients.

At this time, this decision impacts ambulatory services that include cardiac rehabilitation, imaging, neurodiagnostics lab, pain services/pain centers, pulmonary rehabilitation, pulmonary physiology lab, rehabilitation, sleep centers and wound care services. Other services may be shifted in the future as well.

We have also postponed many elective surgeries and procedures so that our patients are staying away from the hospital environment.

We have also worked to create resources to address questions and needs surrounding COVID-19 coronavirus. Our website, WellSpan.org/Coronavirus provides answers to questions regarding the virus as well as guidance for people who may have tested positive for COVID-19.

For people who may not have a primary care doctor and have questions related to the coronavirus, WellSpan has set up a Coronavirus Information Hotline. People are ready to address questions by calling toll-free at (855) 851-3641.

Will coronavirus patients be treated in Gettysburg or will they be sent to other hospitals?

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital is prepared to treat patients who need inpatient care for COVID-19.

Is the hospital adding new staff?

We are not adding new staff currently in direct response to managing COVID-19.

How many emergency beds will the hospital have available?

WellSpan is actively planning for potential alternative use of current facilities to expand our ability to provide care for COVID-19 patients if the need should arise in our community. It’s important to remember that the best way to prevent potential spread is to adhere to the calls for social distancing.

Does the hospital have enough ventilators?

Regarding equipment and supplies such as ventilators and masks, the hospital is adequately equipped to respond to the needs of our patients at this time.

Does the hospital have enough masks?

We are adequately equipped to respond to the needs of our patients at this time.

Does the hospital have enough respirators?

We are adequately equipped to respond to the needs of our patients at this time.

Will the county be getting a drive-through testing station?

At this time, WellSpan plans to continue to utilize the open-air evaluation and treatment/testing.