YOUR COVER HEALTH STORY
Recovering from COVID by Michael J. DeCicco
Are area health care facilities prepared for the increases in COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and patients expected throughout 2021?
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acilities across the South Coast are saying they are indeed ready. At the time of print, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have progressed to “Phase Two,” vaccinating individuals aged 65+ and those with two certain medical conditions. For the newest updates, visit mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine and covid. ri.gov/vaccination. We spoke with local medical providers to hear what they had to say about the vaccine rollout and the steps they’re taking to make sure the supply is going to where it can have the greatest impact.
Preparedness
Particularly optimistic about the preparedness around the South Coast, however, are the healthcare institutions overseeing those who will need the most urgent care: nursing facilities. The long-term acute care facility, Vibra Hospital of Southeastern Massachusetts, at 4499 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, is one institution that has gone out of its way to prepare. “We have changed the culture of the hospital by taking all the appropriate steps in protecting our staff and patients during this crisis,” said Edward Leary, Chief Executive Officer. “We require employees and visitors to wear masks at all times when on the hospital campus. We have created a flexible schedule for employees who are
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non-clinical to rotate working from home and coming into the hospital.” He admitted this has limited the number of employees from entering the building
“I believe we should have a national day to honor our healthcare workers and first responders for the incredible work they have performed this year” on a daily basis. But this and other precautions are for a good reason. “We have been testing all staff on a monthly basis and we test the fifth day and sixth day after a holiday,” he said. “This type of surveillance testing assists limiting the exposure to COVID in the building.” Leary noted that many of the changes Vibra has instituted will stay with the hospital after the pandemic emergency period.
March 2021 | The South Coast Insider
The most important change, he said, has been opening a 14-bed COVID-19 unit in the hospital that is separate from the general patient areas. But it is a new ward that has stayed full during the surge times throughout the year. The year 2020, Leary said, had been a very difficult one for the hospital and the country in general. But he added, “Our staff have never shined brighter. They have continued to perform at an incredibly high level. Our billboard on Route 140 is not only a statement of ‘thank you’ to our staff but a constant reminder to the community of how important it is to continually appreciate all healthcare workers. I believe we should have a national day to honor our healthcare workers and first responders for the incredible work they have performed this year. Maybe have a day where they can all ‘take a breath’ together.”
Pulling together
Similarly, The Oaks Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, at 4525 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, reports it is working hard to get to the point where COVID-19 restrictions and worries will be a thing of the past. “As we all deal with the Pandemic,” admissions liaison Bethanne Higgins said, “the staff at the Oaks continue to smile through their N95 masks. Daily routine may be a little bit different with
