Oswego Health | Inside Healthcare | Covid-19

What you can expect from a virtual visit Contact your physician today to see if a virtual visit is a possibility. Since COVID-19 was first declared a public health emergency in January and the first positive case was reported on March 22 in Oswego County, key medical staff and senior leadership within the Oswego Health network have been meeting daily to ensure preparedness plans are in place and we are meeting the needs of our community. Our response to this pandemic is carried out in close collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Oswego County Health Department, and our emergency responders. March 24: Oswego Health submitted a surge plan to New York State that would allow us to increase our staffed acute-care beds from 44 to 95, more than doubling our capacity, should our community need this level of care and support. The plan was a combined effort among infection control, engineering, environmental services, nursing, and our physicians and leadership. Construction on the third and fourth floors of the hospital has been temporarily stopped in order to mobilize the new rooms as part of this plan. We also are subscripting areas throughout the hospital for use and repurposing. The surge plan will ultimately double our ICU beds to 16, and we have been able to identify 23 ventilators to use as needed. March 25: All elective surgeries were canceled until further notice. April 20: A tent has been constructed outside the emergency department at Oswego Hospital to assist with screening of patients prior to entry into the facility. EARLY ACTION Our newest challenge is a reopening plan. We are hoping to reopen most of our offices starting May 18 and resume elective surgeries starting June 1. Due to preparedness and early adoption of safety precautions, as of May 8, we are happy to share that Oswego Health has had only three positive COVID-19 patients in our hospital, and we’ve had no healthcare workers test positive for the virus. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE A virtual visit is much like an office visit. You'll have an appointed time to check in, by way of a mobile device. When the provider is ready to see you, you'll be connected through a video link. The provider will have your chart in front of them. Your provider might have you take your temperature. They might also talk you through taking your pulse. Your provider will ask you about your symptoms. You can help your visit go more smoothly by following these steps: • Use a good webcam. Your computer probably came with one and most smartphones have one. • Set the camera at eye level. • Make sure your volume is turned on. • Try out your microphone before the visit. • Use a wired internet connection instead of Wi-Fi, if possible. • Close other computer programs you won't need during the visit. • Find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted. • Have your provider's phone number with you in case your connection goes down. Inside Healthcare is published as a community service and to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained from your primary care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.