With effective social distancing slowing the surge of coronavirus patients in West Michigan, Spectrum Health has changed workflows for patients showing COVID-19 symptoms.

“With the current volume of patients arriving at our regional hospitals with concerns for COVID-19, we have workflows and protections in place that allow for effective assessment, testing and treatment while keeping other patients and team members safe,” said, Steven Marzolf, chief nursing officer.  

“This can be managed within the existing structures of our hospitals.”

 

As a result, the triage tents at the regional hospitals, including Pennock in Hastings, are now in the process of being removed. The tents are used as a strategy to rapidly assess and cohort large volumes of patients presenting with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

“We’ve been able to accommodate outpatient testing efficiently using a drive-up protocol at our regional hospitals,” said Bernie Jore, chief operating officer, “We do still anticipate a surge, although hopefully with ongoing social distancing, this will be more manageable. If volumes increase dramatically, we can redeploy the tents in a matter of hours.” said Jore.

Triage tents remain open in Grand Rapids at Butterworth, Blodgett and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital as well as at the drive-up specimen collection site located at 1300 Michigan St. NE.

Spectrum Health offers free virtual COVID-19 screenings to anyone with symptoms and may be concerned they have the virus.  People in the state of Michigan who are experiencing symptoms can call the Spectrum Health hotline at 833.559.0658 to be scheduled for a free virtual screening. Anyone with severe or life-threatening symptoms should call 911.