Williams, Farragut to recognize Tennova Medical Center May 7
In recognition of the staff at Tennova Healthcare Turkey Creek Medical Center, Town of Farragut Mayor Ron Williams will present a proclamation during a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 7, at the east entrance to the hospital, 10820 Parkside Drive.
“The event is in honor of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, and National Hospital Week, May 10-16,” a Town press release stated. “Hospital staff will also be recognized with a sweet treat from the Town.
“In conjunction with the event, homemade posters with messages of thanks from the community (were) collected at Town Hall on Monday and Tuesday, May 4-5,” the release further stated. “The posters will be made into signs that will be displayed on the hospital campus.”
Staying protected
As for hospital functions, “We are taking proactive steps to prepare for the protection of patients, our caregivers and the community, and monitoring ongoing COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Tony Benton, Tennova Chief Executive officer.
“We are using the screening guidelines for symptoms and risk factors and have a response plan to protect patients and our staff should it be needed,” he added. “If a physician determines a patient with symptoms meets the risk criteria, they will coordinate testing and the patient’s ultimate disposition, consulting with the department of health, as necessary.
“Our staff obtains the appropriate specimens, and they are sent to the appropriate lab for testing. We understand the sensitivity at this time and want to reassure the community that we remain alert and ready to provide such care if necessary.”
Visitor restrictions
“Among the CDC recommendations we have put in place include requiring all visitors and team members to wear face coverings, daily screening of all team members, screening of all patients and visitors entering our facilities and proper social distancing in common areas,” stated Ann Metz, director of public relations and marketing for Tennova Healthcare-East Tennessee.
Additionally, Metz stated all health systems in the community have implemented Visitor Restriction policies in conjunction with CDC guidelines and Tennessee Department of Health recommendations.
“We have also implemented more restrictive visitor policies to ensure the safety of our patients and our team,” Benton said.
For more information, visit https://www.tennovaturkeycreek.com/patients-visitors
Still ‘surge’ ready
“While the number of COVID-19 positive patients in our community is relatively low, we continue to plan and prepare daily for a potential surge of patients that could still occur in the community,” Benton said.
“... We have been reinforcing our education and training programs with our team. ... Some of the measures we have taken include screening everyone coming into our buildings to ensure people are not symptomatic,” he added.
“... We support the community’s efforts to promote social distancing, compliance with the Stay at Home Orders and most importantly, washing your hands.”
Regarding the state’s $10 million Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grant, which Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently announced, Benton replied, “We have all been impacted in different ways through this pandemic.
“Our organization is evaluating programs that may be available to support our facilities and healthcare workers,” he added. “There appears to be a lot in the stimulus bill, but we are not sure all of the details.
“We think there may be an opportunity for some of our hospitals to qualify for the grants, but how much and when the funds could be received is not yet known.”
