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Welcome
A Message to the Greater Houlton Community about COVID-19
April 3, 2020
Late yesterday, Houlton Regional Hospital received a single confirmed positive test result for COVID-19 in our hospital service area. The patient involved, sought care at Houlton Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department earlier this week, was tested and was discharged home to quarantine and recuperate. The patient continues their recovery at home at this time.
For some time now, we have been watching the insidious spread of COVID-19 northward throughout the State of Maine. While we’ve been one of the very last counties in the state to identify our first positive case, we knew it was coming eventually, and we’ve been working diligently to prepare for this. We’re pleased to confirm that our Pandemic Plan worked precisely as we intended for both our patient and our healthcare workers.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in our regional, we will continue to follow the guidelines in our preparedness plan, and we will continue to adjust hospital operations accordingly. Therefore effective immediately Houlton Regional Hospital will . . .
Continue to closely evaluate:
- All Surgeries conducted at Houlton Regional Hospital. We will continue to be guided by our Surgeons and their patients in determining those cases that can be safely performed and that are necessary for the well-being of our patients.
- Outpatient Services including Laboratory, Imaging and Respiratory. Again, patient safety is our utmost concern. If patients require these services, we will provide patients with a mask upon their arrival, and our staff will also be properly protected throughout the patient’s experience. Our focus will be on those patients with acute needs.
- Physician Practices at Houlton Regional. We know that office visits can be either routine or acute. For those patients who wish to postpone their office visit, we will certainly work to reschedule, but we will be here to care for patients whose needs require our attention. We are working intently to assist patients via TeleMedicine, and hope to have this service operationalized in the near future. Our staff will offer this service to patients once this offering is available.
At this time, it is extremely important that we all observe all of Governor Mills’ public health and safety measures – only leave home to perform essential jobs, to obtain food, medicine or healthcare, or for other truly necessary purposes. As we’ve stated from the start, if we all do our part, we’ll get through this together.
Today our new reality is that this COVID-19 Pandemic is here, but it’s here in a small way. Let’s work to keep it that way.
Keep yourself well, keep yourself safe, and cherish those you love. Rest assured, we’ll be here to take care of your healthcare needs now and in the future!
Houlton Regional Hospital
Quality Care delivered by Exceptional People
Houlton Regional Hospital is prepared to keep Caregivers, Patients and the Community Safe DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
As Caregivers at Houlton Regional Hospital continue to be prepared for COVID-19 treatment and screening, our steadfast commitment to safely caring for our Patients, our Staff, and our Medical Staff is our top priority. Houlton Regional Hospital has formed a specialized Pandemic (COVID-19) Response Team, consisting of Infection Control, Emergency Care, Hospital Leadership, Nursing Leadership, Medical Staff Leadership, Facilities, Safety and Security that has been working closely with the Maine CDC and is prepared for any potential case of COVID-19 presenting at the hospital. At present, we ask that each person coming to Houlton Regional Hospital please put on a protective mask prior to entering the hospital.
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
At present, a limited national supply of laboratory materials inhibits Maine’s testing capacity. Therefore, Maine is now creating a prioritization system to test to individuals in high-risk categories. Maine CDC Lab will prioritize testing in to 2 tiers:
Tier 1:
- Those who are hospitalized
- Health care workers
- First responders (e.g., EMS Police, Fire)
- Patients living in congregate setting (e.g., LTCFs, group homes, assisted living facilities, jails, shelters)
Tier 2:
- Patients older than 60 years
- Patients with underlying medical conditions
Testing within these categories is likely to be prioritized further based on availability of laboratory materials. Presently the emphasis will be on groups within Tier 1.
PATIENT VISITATION AT THE HOSPITAL
At this time Houlton Regional Hospital is suspending visitor access. No visitors can be allowed in the Emergency Department, or any Inpatient Unit. Specific visitor exceptions MAY be made for visitors of Compassionate Care patients, OB patients or Pediatric patients – out of necessity we must even limit these patients to one visitor, if an exception is granted. The Main Entrance to the Hospital will also have restricted hours – 6:00am to 6:00pm.
HOULTON REGIONAL HOSPITAL REMAINS OPEN FOR SERVICES . . .
At Houlton Regional Hospital we are working carefully and cautiously each day to ensure that our patients are receiving the care that they need. We are in continuous contact with our Medical Staff to ensure that we continue to provide much-needed services that are being ordered by Medical Providers throughout our region. While we understand and agree that Elective Procedures may not be warranted at this time, we do know that the determination of procedure-necessity rests with the Patient and their Medical Provider. We will do our part in helping to “flatten the curve” related to the Coronavirus, while continuing to meet the clinical needs of our patients. We have taken steps to temporarily discontinue certain clinical services such as Cardiac Rehab Phase 2 and 3, our Bone Builders program, Pulmonary Function Tests, and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures (EGD’s). Other clinical offerings are being evaluated constantly for appropriateness. Rest assured that we will take appropriate steps to curtail other programs and services as the Coronavirus environment dictates.
Check back for further developments. We pledge to keep you informed as this current scenario continues to unfold. 4-2-2020
Need A Mask?
CLICK HERE for easy instructions on how to make a facemask
Coming to Houlton Regional Hospital
to obtain a copy of Medical Records, or to Pay a Bill?
Please call ahead, we can likely help you right over the phone.
Be safe, wash your hands, and maintain Social Distancing!
**Until Further Notice **
Per the Governor’s Proclamation on 3/18/2020 – There will be no public meal service in the Cafeteria at HRH. This includes frozen meals for take-out. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for severe disease and should consider postponing nonessential travel.
If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or if you have recently (within 14 days) been in a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested, but keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill may be able to isolate and care for themselves at home.
- If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.
- Emergency warning signs include*:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face - *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Please notify the ER before bringing in a patient with possible COVID-19 or alert EMS if they are contacted for transport.
HRH Local Pandemic Line for a recorded update:
(207) 521-2210
Maine CDC resources for COVID-19 information:
* Contact 211 Maine for answers to frequently asked questions on COVID-19
* Dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695)
* Text your ZIP code to 898-211
* Email info@211maine.org
* 211 is TTY and Video Relay accessible if calling from Maine
* Visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus
* Maine Crisis Hotline number for people having a hard time to cope with the current situation (1-888-568-1112)
