Lower Umpqua Hospital Ready For Public Health Emergency

(Release) Lower Umpqua Hospital District is working closely with the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, which is under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) to make sure that the facility is following the appropriate treatment, health and safety response guidelines to keep the community’s health and safety. Hospital staff and DPHN communicate daily to ensure priorities are identified and are working collaboratively to determine what additional resources may be needed. “We want our community members in the coastal communities of Douglas County to know the great work that is being done between Lower Umpqua Hospital and the County’s Incident Management Team” said Commissioner Tim Freeman. “The Board of Commissioners, Douglas Public Health Network and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team area highly engaged with healthcare professionals in your community and there is a great deal of collaboration being done.” Lower Umpqua Hospital staff has been reviewing protocols and procedures daily, related to COVID-19. Each process is examined to identify how operations may be made more efficient and make certain best practices are being followed. Lower Umpqua Hospital wants to assure the community that they are prepared and are working collectively on patient care responses for the COVID-19 virus. According to Chief Administrative Officer at Lower Umpqua Hospital, Ryan Fowler, “One example is implementing telehealth calls in our outpatient clinics and the rehabilitation department. Patients can speak to a provider from the safety of their home. Those who have participated in telehealth consults are responding well to this new process”. Fowler added, “If our providers identify that a patient needs to be seen in person, they are scheduled to come into the clinic.” Lower Umpqua Hospital is a Level IV trauma facility, so preparing for emergencies is not a new concept. “Our staff trains year-round within the facility and with other first responder organizations to ensure we provide the best possible service to our community”, said Fowler.