Newman Regional Health has activated its COVID-19 Care Unit.
Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright made the mention during the bi-weekly KVOE-Newman Regional Health COVID-19 Community Briefing on Tuesday. This lets the hospital treat both coronavirus and non-COVID patients in isolation rooms.
Three patients are currently receiving treatment for COVID-19. Two patients have recently been transferred to Topeka and one has been discharged. Meanwhile, the Respiratory Clinic, in place for just over a week, has been running at capacity or near-capacity the past several days.
The program also brought to the forefront advance directives. Hand in Hand Hospice social worker Bethany Frank discussed the different options — durable power of attorney, living will and do-not-resuscitate orders. Both she and Hospitalist Program Medical Director Dr. Alana Longwell urged residents to start conversations regardless of whether COVID-19 is part of those talks.
Frank:
Longwell:
Information is available by calling Hand in Hand Hospice at 340-6177.
The KVOE-Newman Regional Health COVID-19 Community Briefings take place at 10:06 am Tuesdays and Fridays on 14 KVOE, 96.9 FM and KVOE-TV at KVOE.com.
