2 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Erie Shores HealthCare expands hours of assessment centre
LEAMINGTON — Erie Shores HealthCare has expanded the number of hours that their COVID-19 Assessment Centre is open to accommodate high volumes of individuals seeking a swab test for COVID-19. The Assessment Centre at ESHC is in the Ambulatory Care Clinic off of Fader Street. It has seen record-breaking volumes, with 107 visitors on May 27. The previous day’s total was 101, which itself was a peak in terms of daily volume since opening on April 18. The number of visitors to the centre had averaged about 50 visitors per day prior to this week. The higher volumes come after Premier Ford advised on May 23 that the opportunity to be tested for the virus is now available to everyone, emphasizing that “you will not be turned away, even if you or your family don’t have
symptoms. If you feel you need a test, you will be able to get a test.” ESHC is ready for the increased attendance at the assessment centre and based on current volumes has, as of Monday, June 1st, extended the hours of operation to 8 am to 6 pm (from 8 am to 4 pm), seven days a week. This week, additional tents were put in place so that those waiting in line were not waiting under direct sunlight. As has always been the case in Essex County, you do not need a referral from Telehealth Ontario, primary care, or the Health Unit in order to be tested. The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is staffed with two nursing staff daily. Patients should also know that the COVID-19 Assessment Centre is a safe environment for testing and care. When you attend the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at ESHC you should expect the following: • Get swabbed to deterDaily E-Waste mine if you are positive for COVID-19; Drop Off • Get in-and-out quickly, at the following: safely and efficiently; Colasanti’s • By getting tested, you 1550 Rd 3 E, Ruthven can protect yourself, your family and your commuJoe Meloche Ford nity. Amherstburg • Get your results in the Harrow and Colchester quickest way possible with South Arena a reminder COVID Online Computers for Kids Windsor Portal Results card, and We offer FREE PICKUPS for Corporations & Businesses visiting covid19results. www.cfkcanada.org ehealthontario.ca For more information, For more information please call visit the ESHC website at www.erieshoreshealth4150 Sandwich St. Windsor ON care.ca
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NEW SIGNAGE AT HOSPITAL
New signs adorn the entrance at Erie Shores HealthCare, directing patients and visitors which way to go, depending upon your needs for that visit. ESHC photo
Erie Shores HealthCare Chief of Staff reminds community that it is safe to visit Emergency Department LEAMINGTON — Erie Shores HealthCare is reminding residents to continue to access their emergency department for care that cannot wait. The Emergency Department remains a safe place for individuals to go for acute care services. Hospital emergency services, and urgent and emergent diagnostic imaging (such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) and critical surgical services continue to be provided. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) also continue to meet patient needs in the community. If you feel unwell and think you require urgent
or emergent care, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency department. Medical professionals are there to care for you, just as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals have taken precautions to ensure a safe care environment for all patients and staff. These steps include enhanced screening of patients to ensure the right precautions are being taken, increased cleaning of the care environment and equipment, ensuring staff are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and limiting visitors within the hospital.
“We are concerned that people with urgent emergency health issues have stayed home or delayed seeking care over the past few months because of the pandemic,” said Interim CEO and Chief of Staff, Dr. Ross Moncur. “We want to encourage people not to wait if they feel they have urgent medical needs.” “We can reassure everyone that, despite COVID, we remain here to help,” he added. For everyday health needs, patients can access primary care virtually through their family physician or through a walkin clinic.
Hospitals of Erie St. Clair West moving forward with regional plan
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ONTARIO — Now that the Ontario government has lifted its directive issued in March, which restricted elective and non-urgent surgical and clinical procedures, programs and clinics, the hospitals of Erie St. Clair West region are moving forward with a regional plan to safely reopen and reschedule various appointments. The Erie St. Clair West region includes Bluewater Health in Sarnia, ChathamKent Health Alliance, Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare. This easing of the provincial directive, however, calls for a gradual and incremental implementation of carefully thought-out resumption of scheduled cases. The hospitals are looking forward to resuming schedules, but are asking the communities to be patient as they take the necessary steps to allow a slow and gradual approach to bringing services back online. Some services came back on Monday, June 1. Each hospital has developed a hospital-based plan that was shared and approved regionally and also reviewed by primary care leadership, home and community services, with input from
the various patient advisory committees. The hospital will be sure to compare their findings twice weekly as a region to determine if changes are necessary. Patients will be notified of opportunities to reschedule surgeries and other appointments. They ask that you do not contact the hospital about your postponed appointment. This includes patients who are waiting for surgery, who will hear from their physician/surgeon’s office. Resuming scheduled hospital-based care for patients has to be very carefully weighed with the overriding need to ensure Ontario hospitals can maintain capacity to battle any surge in COVID-19 patients. In the meantime, current COVID-19 policies and procedures, including visitor restrictions, remain in place for each hospital. The gradual restoration of more elective surgeries will take many weeks, considering the need for pre-operative care that has been on hold for the past three months. Patients waiting for surgery will hear directly from their physician or surgeon’s office.
