BSW REGIONAL PRESIDENT DISCUSSES HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS IN BRENHAM
Baylor Scott and White officials say they are pulling out all the stops to ensure that patients, visitors and staff remain safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.
(courtesy photo)
Baylor Scott and White – College Station Region President Jason Jennings said, along with fleshing out a digital platform for patient visits, the healthcare provider is outfitting staff with proper personal protection equipment (PPE) while establishing more stringent procedures for patients and visitors to its hospitals.
For patients, Jennings said Baylor Scott and White has rescheduled all elective procedures and surgeries, is performing regular screenings for signs and symptoms, and takes vitals before any procedure. Visitation has been restricted to any of Baylor Scott and White’s hospitals. Meanwhile, Jennings said more space has been created within hospital spaces to take care of COVID-19 patients, and more equipment has been made available to treat them.
Jennings could not provide an exact number of ventilators present in the Brenham hospital system, but Washington County EMS Director Kevin Deramus said at a March meeting of the Brenham School Board there were around 18 total.
Currently, the Brenham hospital is treating COVID-19 patients, but Jennings said some patients may be transferred to Baylor Scott and White’s College Station facility if their needs exceed what is available in Brenham.
When asked if any staff in the Brenham hospital have tested positive for COVID-19, Jennings said he could not comment due to HIPAA restrictions, but assured the right PPE is in place for staff and that their safety remains a top priority.
Jennings said PPE is also available for staff that are performing screenings at the front of the hospital for potential visitors.
Jennings said doctors and nurses have stepped up across the Baylor Scott and White system to help treat any patients that come in. He said the provider is also able to move workforces between its Brenham and College Station locations to wherever the need is greatest, in case of a surge in patients.
Drive-thru testing for COVID-19 is available at the Baylor Scott and White clinic on Highway 290, but those looking to get tested have to be screened beforehand to determine if they are considered a high risk and meet testing qualifications. If they do, an order will be placed so they can get tested. Marketing and Public Relations Manager Megan Hoffman said Baylor Scott and White has been able to deliver the majority of tests to patients within 24 hours.
Jennings thanked the Washington County community for its support of the frontline staff at the Brenham hospital, saying it has shown a great outpouring of donations and prayers. In that same vein, Baylor Scott and White now has an email address for people to send letters of appreciation to hospital staff during this time. Letters will be printed off and distributed to nurse stations and huddle boards throughout the region. To send a letter of support, email csregioncares@bswhealth.org.
Try telling that to the maintenance workers who are forced to go in the front of the building for a ‘check’ which is possibly exposing them to the virus when they only normally go in through the back for work! Why potentially expose people unnecessarily?! Major fail.