Erie Shores HealthCare on leading edge during COVID crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest challenge faced by this world in decades and the response from Erie Shores HealthCare has been nothing short of amazing.

From the outset, staff and management at ESHC have done their best to stay one step ahead of the Coronavirus and this area is all the better for it.

In April of this year, a COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened at the hospital, which eventually welcomed expanded hours. They tested hundreds of local residents for COVID-19 at the centre over the months and are still testing there daily.

The centre is seeing on average about 125 tests a day locally by appointment booking online. Because of new Ministry of Health guidelines in early September – ESHC moved to a new online booking model. It’s fast, easy and takes seconds to do online at www. erieshoreshealthcare.ca

“We’ve seen the great work our teams have done, and the sacrifices that have been made. Being on site and able to talk with the team and help where I can — I can say our teams are tired, however we continue to do what we can. Steps like the online booking help us streamline the process and get people tested sooner,” said Arms Bumanlag, Director of Public Relations and Communications.

Our Perioperative team – continuing to perform surgeries during a pandemic has been a challenge but one ESHC has met head on.

ESHC continues to lead an initiative with Essex-Windsor EMS and Home and Community Care where their team leads complete health assessments for symptomatic positive COVID-19 Agri-food workers on farms and private dwellings. ESHC is working closely with local farms and the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association and has developed a working parternership.

“Our teams of medical professionals — both in our hospital and in the community — continue to address and help where needed,” said Misty Fortier, Director of Professional Practice & Chief Nursing Executive. “We’ve taken the lessons learned from wave 1 and incorporated our findings into what will work for our unique populations here in Essex County.”

In addition, ESHC has partnered with Windsor Essex County Health Unit, Hotel Dieu Grace HealthCare, Windsor Regional Hospital and the Local Health Intergration Network for risk assessment oversight to the Essex County Long-term Care and Retirement Homes. ESHC has ten homes under its umbrella and continues to send mobile teams out every other day as a result of an outbreak and subsequent risks and concerns that were escalated to healthcare providers.

Erie Shores HealthCare is also participating in a COVID-19 Antibody Research Study with Southwestern Ontario Universities and hospitals in the Essex County area, and also participating in an Erie St.Clair partnership to support an assessment oversight of congregate settings with infection control and prevention specific protocols taught.

Members of our senior leadership team and Emergency team listening to Dr. Gonzales, an ED doctor, on some of the challenges and concerns our front line staff have for wave 2.

With the coming winter months in mind, ESHC has been preparing for a potentially increased demand at the Assessment Centre heading into winter of 2020-21.

Screening has moved indoors at the hospital – forgoing the screening trailer and moving the screener team in the main lobby. ESHC’s current visitor policy remains aligned with best practices and the provincial colour code system for COVID 19 – but also aligning it with the need for visitors for patient in their care as an essential part of recovery.

“We know how crucial family and friends are to the recovering patient in our care, that’s why we took to heart the feedback we received from our communities and families during the first wave of COVID-19. In consultation with our Patient and Family Advisory Committee, we have incorporated visitors with the utmost safety in mind when developing our revised visitor policy for this 2nd wave,” added Heather Badder, Vice President of Patient Services.

For the latest, up-to-date information, visit www.erieshoreshealthcare.ca or ESHC active social media – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube.

If you’d like to support the hospital's COVID-19 Response Fund, visit www. eshfoundation.ca.