St. Luke prepared for local pandemic impacts
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RONAN — As of April 20, only two other states (Wyoming and Alaska) had fewer confirmed cases of COVID-19 than Montana.The state's low number, 433 at the time, means the virus isn’t spreading as rampantly as it is in other states. Still, local healthare providers, including St. Luke Community hospital, have prepared to treat patients who come down with the illness.
Across the country, shortages of ventilators, hospital beds, tests and personal protective equipment have limited healthcare providers’ abilities to provide care to patients. So far, St. Luke hasn’t run into those issues, according to St. Luke Director of Nursing Abigal Byers.
The hospital has five ventilators, which can be used to help people breathe when they’re unable to do so on their own due to complications from the coronavirus. Byers said the hospital does not plan to acquire more. If more than five patients need ventilators, they will be transferred to one of the hospital’s partner facilities in Missoula or Kalispell. Those partner hospitals might also send patients who do not need ventilators to St. Luke, if space is needed. St. Luke is coordinating with hospitals throughout the northwestern region of the country to create plans for treating patients.
Byers said St. Luke does plan to increase the number of beds at the hospital, if needed. Usually, the hospital has 25 beds. If more are needed, spaces will be rearranged to place patients in areas currently used for outpatient care, like surgery and infusion centers. The hospital has enough room and equipment to handle the number of patients currently being seen. Byers said she feels confident that the hospital will be able to find ways to care for every patient in need.
The hospital currently has enough personal protective equipment for providers to follow regular protocol, but a sudden increase in positive coronavirus cases could strain the hospital’s supply. Byers said St. Luke is still getting personal protective equipment shipments and is also looking to local suppliers to help fill their needs. The hospital is also collecting donated personal protective equipment, both purchased and hand-sewn.
While testing for the coronavirus is limited, Byers said those patients who qualify are being tested at St. Luke. Those with common symptoms like fever, chills, shortness of breath or a cough are tested, as well as those who providers suspect have the virus due to other conditions. Byers said it is likely that tests will become more available as time goes on.
In some areas, antibody blood tests can determine whether people have already been infected with the coronavirus. St. Luke does not have those tests available at this time. Byers said the hospital is working to decide which test of that nature to provide.
Byers encourages patients to continue to see their healthcare providers for regular visits and non-COVID-19 related health needs. The hospital has adopted telemedicine technology so doctors can see patients at home, and they are providing patients who go to the hospital with face masks.
The best way to support the hospital, Byers said, is to follow social distancing and stay-at-home guidance. Byers reminds people to clean frequently touched areas of their homes and to regularly wash their hands. St. Luke is also providing updates to the community on its Facebook page.
“We are committed to keeping our patients, staff and community safe,” Byers said.
