St. Charles CEO: Hospital has fewest COVID-19 patients in two weeks
Just four patients Monday -- and none in ICU
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- St. Charles Bend had just four COVID-19 patients as of Monday, and none in intensive care, the lowest patient count in two weeks, President and CEO Joe Sluka said in his Monday update to community members.
Here's his email, in full:
HONORING OUR HEROES
Last week, a patient celebrated her 95th birthday while admitted to our Progressive Care Unit at St. Charles Bend. Because of visitor restrictions, her family sadly couldn’t be with her on this special day.
Instead, our social workers, nurses and many other caregivers stepped in to help. They brought her a piece of carrot cake and even served her a martini with three olives – essentially fulfilling her dying wish. They sang “Happy Birthday” while holding up a cell phone so her children and grandchildren could sing along.
The next day, the patient passed away.
“It means the world to me what the front line team did,” her son wrote in a note of thanks. “They are risking their families to help families like us and at the same time give comfort and compassion when it’s time. For that I am truly grateful.”
This is just one of thousands of stories like it taking place across the globe. Health care workers, first responders, public health caregivers and so many more are going above and beyond to not only treat the sick, but to be there for important moments when patients’ loved ones can’t.
Introducing the St. Charles Hero Fund
To acknowledge the many sacrifices and honor the risks our caregivers are taking, last week we launched the St. Charles Hero Fund.
The fund will provide bonus pay to caregivers who work on the front lines for the month of April. To be eligible, caregivers must work in direct patient care or on-site at a St. Charles clinical location for at least 80 hours this month.
St. Charles caregivers in our hospitals, clinics, home health and patient support areas come to work every day knowing that even with taking appropriate precautions they could contract this serious virus. They provide essential care, while having to worry about potentially bringing home COVID-19 to their families. I am in awe of their heroism and honor the sacrifices they are making to care for others during this crisis.
To kick-start the fund, I am donating 50% of my paycheck during this timeframe to support our caregivers. I hope you will join me in contributing whatever amount you feel comfortable to do the same. To learn more about the St. Charles Hero Fund or to make a donation, please visit our website. Our goal is to raise $1 million from our community as a match to $1 million in support from St. Charles. You can help us get there.
The latest on the COVID-19 front
At this time, St. Charles has the lowest number of inpatients with COVID-19 we have had in the past two weeks. We have just four positive COVID-19 patients at St. Charles Bend and none of them are in the Intensive Care Unit.
This is great news and simply would not have been possible without your efforts to stay home and save lives. It is working.
New projections released by the Oregon Health Authority yesterday estimate that together, we have prevented as many as 18,000 COVID-19 infections and 500 hospitalizations because of social distancing measures throughout the state.
Isn’t it extraordinary to think you have saved lives simply by staying home, spending more time with your families, playing board games, watching Netflix and taking a breath from the busyness of life?
Of course, I realize none of this is easy. Parents are juggling working from home while also trying to be educators to their children. Businesses are suffering from the loss of revenue and closed doors. And, we are all afraid to go to the grocery store or even walk too close to a neighbor if we aren’t wearing a mask.
Yet, I know we will get through this together as long as we keep it up. The good news is encouraging. It means our efforts are making a difference. Please stay strong and continue to stay the course.
Sincerely,
Joe
