Coping with COVID
T
he continued rise of COVID-19 cases in our region is prompting a variety of responses from area healthcare systems. Below are a few of the related articles that have crossed our desk in recent weeks.
RAPID CITY HOSPITAL BEGINS UTILIZING SURGE AREAS FOR NON-COVID-19 PATIONS With increasing COVID-19 infec-
IOWA PROVIDES FREE TESTING TO CLAY COUNTY SCHOOL CHILDREN
Food banks across the nation have
The State of Iowa recently made
experiencing stressed capacity. To
experienced a sharp rise in need and
rapid antigen testing available
accommodate more patients, Rapid
expenses since the onset of the
for preschool through 12th grade
City Hospital has been transferring
pandmeic. To help ease that burden,
students in public or private schools
some non-COVID-19 patients to the
to promote good health in the
in Clay County. Local schools, Clay
hospital’s surge area, bringing in
communities it serves, and to com-
County Public Health, Spencer
contract caregivers, and working
memorate United Nations World
Hospital, and Avera Medical Group
with other hospitals in the region
Food Day, Sanford Health donated
Spencer have worked together
to help them keep their patients
$3 million to area food banks. The
to develop a process to make this
closer to home.
donation is being split across eight
testing easily accessible and free
food banks in South Dakota, North
for students.
Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
western South Dakota and a nursing shortage across the nation, Monument Health hospitals are
REHABILITATION PROVIDERS PARTNER IN KEY TELEHEALTH RESEARCH STUDY
AVERA OPENS ANOTHER COVID-19 TESTING SITE IN SIOUX FALLS
NEW MONUMENT HEALTH PROGRAM LETS PATIENTS SCHEDULE COVID-19 TESTS ONLINE
Avera temporarily leased the former
Symptomatic patients can now
Nebraska, have joined with two
Vern Eide location at Minnesota
go online to schedule drive-up
other leading rehabilitation provid-
Avenue and 23rd Street in Sioux
COVID-19 tests at Monument Health
ers to launch a research study on
Falls for an additional COVID-19
locations in Custer, Lead-Deadwood,
the use of telehealth for rehabilita-
drive-through collection testing site.
Rapid City, Spearfish or Sturgis.
tion in response to public health
The site allows for six cars at a time,
Until now, all patients had to sched-
crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
increasing the collection capacity
ule their tests by calling Monument
Without the ability to treat patients
and alleviating pressure from other
Health’s Nurse Triage Line, which
in person, the continuity of patient
Avera testing sites. People who need
has become increasingly busy in
care has been put at risk and change
a test must first contact their clinic
recent weeks. The new online option
is needed. The study will provide
by phone, go to Avera.org/covidho-
is for patients who do not need to
more insight into the problem by
tline, or call 1-877-AT-AVERA before
speak with a nurse. The Nurse
early 2021. ❖
showing up.
Triage Line will continue to be available for questions.
❱ Read these articles in their entirety on our website.
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tions and hospitalizations in
SANFORD HEALTH DONATES $3 MILLION TO AREA FOOD BANKS
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, located in Lincoln and Omaha,
