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The following is a letter from Robert S. Chaloner, Chief Administrative Officer, dated May 29, 2020:
Dear Friends,
Summer is here and we are ready. We are planning Elective Surgeries. Our Emergency Department is providing urgent and emergency treatments. We are scheduling radiology screenings and our Ellen Hermanson Breast Center is conducting mammography screenings. Our Ambulatory Surgery area is undergoing a complete top-to-bottom renovation. Cardiac Rehabilitation has been thoroughly rejuvenated and is now separated into “pods” dedicated to specific modalities with equipment spaced comfortably apart to allow healthy social distancing. There is a complete sanitizing process following each appointment.
We are instituting protocols to make every visit safe and easy. Every patient entering the Hospital is screened for COVID symptoms and every admitted patient is tested. We do not expose non-COVID patients to those who test positive or may have symptoms.
Patients who are preparing for Elective Surgeries, Procedures and Screenings will pre-register at the time they schedule their appointment. We are conducting pre-surgery COVID-19 testing, via a drive through site that is located in front of the Parrish Memorial Hall (at the corner of Herrick and Lewis). We are instituting mindful scheduling to ensure wait time is minimal and not in a crowded reception room, but rather in the comfort of the patient’s own car or outside enjoying the fresh air. We are escorting patients to their screening or treatment. We are also taking care to protect our staff and patients by installing thick PVC dividers in receiving areas.
Casualties of the pandemic include non-COVID patients who experienced symptoms of stroke, cardiac disease, or cancer and waited before getting treatment to the detriment of their health. Time is critical in treating these conditions. Patients should never wait to go to an emergency department to get immediate care.
We have the latest disinfecting technology, including UV-C sterilization and EPA-approved chemical sanitizers to purify patient’s rooms, lobbies, halls, and elevators—even chairs. To date, the Hospital has no known case of a patient contracting COVID-19 while visiting. Those that are seeking routine care, prescription refills, psychiatric treatment, or rehabilitation therapy can also schedule a Telehealth visit directly with one’s provider. Clinical care and monitoring are also provided via telehealth for patients dealing with chronic cardiovascular conditions that may not require an in-person visit.
The past few months have proved that while we are a small hospital, we are a mighty one. We are relentless in our commitment to provide the highest quality care to every one of our patients. To date, our scrupulous efforts have resulted in 126 successful discharges of COVID-19 patients, many of whom were intubated and have recovered because of the excellent care provided by our dedicated patient care team.
We have learned a lot about COVID-19 and about ourselves. We continue to pledge all our assets against this disease and we will not rest until it is eradicated. We are grateful, that in this war, we are part of the Stony Brook Medicine Healthcare System. They are solid colleagues and we stand together in this fight.
We know this summer will be like no other. We can assure all who visit us for routine procedures or for health-related emergencies—you are safe and will receive the highest level of quality care.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us during this time of crisis. If you would like to make a contribution, here is the link to our Healthcare Heroes Fund.
Be safe.
Bob
Robert S. Chaloner
Chief Administrative Officer
Fred
Fredric I. Weinbaum, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Operating Officer
