Memorial Healthcare has taken additional proactive measures to increase hospital capacity and capabilities, as well as limit unnecessary risk of exposure to its staff during the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
- New Acute Respiratory Care Floor and Expanded Alternative Care Site: Memorial Healthcare has established a floor dedicated to treatment and care for patients admitted with acute respiratory needs. The newly designated floor provides negative pressure isolation for patients suspected and confirmed for COVID-19. Additionally, capacity has been increased for the Alternative Care Site, a designated triage location for individuals determined to be at risk of COVID-19 located at the main campus of Memorial Healthcare, South Auditorium entrance. The ACS is open 7 days a week, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- Expanded Telehealth Appointments: Memorial Healthcare is expanding telehealth capabilities. Many patients are already able to complete their appointment via phone. Beginning Tuesday, March 24, patients can make appointments to see their primary care providers via video conference through a mobile application, Care Convene Patient. Telehealth visits can provide safety for patients and providers, increase capacity, and reduce in-person visits during the coronavirus outbreak. Patients are asked to contact their primary care provider to schedule a telehealth appointment if necessary.
- COVID-19 Testing at Memorial Healthcare: Current demand for COVID-19 testing exceeds the needs of healthcare providers across the state. As such, Memorial Healthcare is taking all steps possible to make in-house COVID-19 testing and results reporting available within its facilities as soon as possible. This will help to dramatically improve the ability to quickly and efficiently test patients suspected of having coronavirus without the need to rely solely on State of Michigan or other off-site testing facilities. Patients seeking evaluation at the Alternative Care Site will be screened with questions recommended by the CDC and on-site testing for influenza and RSV as appropriate. Those who are in need of additional COVID-19 tests will then be processed.
- Temporary Urgent Care Closures:Memorial Healthcare has temporarily closed its Perry and State Road Urgent Care locations to reallocate resources to its Alternative Care Site. Many satellite laboratory and radiology locations have also temporarily closed to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
- Suspension of Non-Essential Appointments, Procedures, and Services: All non-essential medical appointments, procedures and testing have been suspended in order to make available critical staff and resources for the projected increase of patient volume. Medical staff is being redistributed to critical care roles as appropriate. As of Monday, March 23, 2020, all non-essential members of the workforce will work from home or take time-off in order to limit the unnecessary risk of exposure for the safety of our employees
and patients. Additionally, all contracted projects, services or other non-essential activities have been suspended until further notice.
- Personal Protection Equipment Contingency Planning: In light of the national shortage of appropriate PPE for medical staff, Memorial is actively working to acquire hospital grade and standard supplies and accepting donations from area businesses with inventory available. If you have supplies that could be donated, please contact (989) 729-4856.
If you are experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, such as fever or cough, Memorial Healthcare has established Alternate Care Site. Our Alternate Care Site is located on the main campus at Memorial Healthcare, 826 W. King Street, Owosso, at the South Auditorium entrance to serve patients from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as extreme shortness of breath, call 911 or proceed to your local emergency department. We ask that you call the Memorial Healthcare emergency department at (989) 723-5211 before your arrival if possible.
For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/COVID19 and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus. You may also visit www.MemorialHealthcare.org for the latest information regarding Memorial’s response and resources.
