Owensboro Health Regional Hospital is operating a little differently these days, and the emergency department is no different. To keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum, OHRH has implemented a “parking lot lobby” that replaces the conventional waiting room space inside the hospital.
As mentioned by Steven Stack during Gov. Andy Beshear’s daily briefing on Thursday, parking lot lobbies have gained traction across the state, with an increasing number of hospitals swapping crowded emergency room lobbies for a safer alternative that prevents coronavirus spread.
“Parking lot lobbies will be part of our lives for a continued period of time, so be ready for that,” Stack said.
Beshear agreed, saying, “Your business cannot look the same as it did before. If you’re thinking about a waiting room — no, you cannot do that. That’s where it spreads.”
OHRH has set up triage tents outside the emergency department that are used to evaluate individuals seeking those services — with the exception of trauma patients, who go directly to the trauma center.
According to Director of Emergency and Trauma Services Alysia Adams, the ED has also increased the number of negative pressure rooms — designed to keep air from escaping and disease from spreading — from three to 17, specifically for respiratory-related illnesses that could stem from COVID-19.
The ED has been divided into two sections, with one area designated for medical patients and the other side reserved for those exhibiting signs of respiratory distress.
Before patients get into one of these rooms but after they’ve been triaged, most of them now wait inside their vehicles instead of the waiting room.
“Once triaged, to cut down on people in the waiting room — where it’s hard to separate illnesses in general — we’re utilizing patients’ cars until their room is ready,” Adams said.
The hospital hasn’t had to use the parking lot lobby much, as the number of patients coming into the ED has been steady rather than overwhelming. Adams said the hospital only asks patients in stable condition to wait from their vehicles until a room opens up.
So far, the response has been positive and the ED has received no complaints, Adams said.
“Our staff is providing communication to patients, telling them that it’s for their safety,” she said. “[With COVID-19], some people have no symptoms, so this helps everyone’s safety and well-being.”
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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
