JUPITER, FLA. (March 23, 2020) – Since January, Jupiter Medical Center’s
medical staff leadership, infection prevention experts and executive team
have been developing plans to screen, isolate and treat COVID-19 patients,
including conducting drills and training for hospital team members and
ensuring the careful stewardship of equipment and supplies. The medical
center was one of the first hospitals to implement
CDC guidelines for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 and
since has also been working closely with the
Florida Department of Health to strictly adhere to state and federal guidelines.
To streamline and centralize hospital operations in order to address an
expected increase in patient volume of COVID-19 patients, Jupiter Medical
Center has established an Incident Command Center. Similar to the actions
the regional medical center would take during a hurricane, the command
center offers a dedicated structure to streamline communication and provide
administrative oversight to manage patient treatment, clinical staffing,
and the allocation of rooms, equipment and supplies.
“Consistent with leading national and regional hospitals across the
country, we implemented a series of comprehensive measures early to improve
our readiness,” said Dr. Amit Rastogi, president and chief executive
officer. “In addition to strictly adhering to CDC guidelines, we
initiated additional preventive measures and began multidisciplinary training
to prepare our team members to recognize and screen potential cases, implement
isolation protocols, and properly use personal protective equipment (PPE)
while treating patients,” Dr. Rastogi continued.
The regional medical center also confirmed that it is starting to see patients
who have tested positive for COVID-19. As required by federal privacy
laws, Jupiter Medical Center is prevented from releasing any personal
details about patients undergoing treatment.
Most recently, the medical center adopted The
American College of Surgeons’ recommendations and began rescheduling non-urgent, elective surgeries
to increase capacity and minimize the potential of COVID-19 exposure among
patients, team members, and frontline providers.
“We will continue to perform nonelective, urgent and emergency surgeries,”
Dr. Rastogi said. “However, by reducing the number of elective procedures,
we are able to conserve our supply of personal protective equipment, beds,
and ventilators for use in patients with critical illnesses, and ensure
that more of our clinical team members are available to care for patients
who are most in need when the time comes.”
Jupiter Medical Center is not a designated COVID-19 testing site, in accordance
with directives from the Florida Department of Health. Public health authorities
have advised that hospitals should not be used for non-critical conditions
or non-emergencies, including coronavirus testing. Individuals experiencing
symptoms – fever, cough or difficulty breathing – are urged
to call their physician or contact one of several state-designated testing
sites that are equipped to take swabs for testing and send them to the
appropriate lab.
The medical center continues to engage national and regional suppliers
to procure additional resources and supplies, such as test kits, N95 respirator
masks, and ventilators, to identify and treat those who may require hospitalization.
In addition to implementing the necessary personal protective equipment
(PPE) to protect frontline caregivers, Jupiter Medical Center is leveraging
the use of Tru-D SmartUVC ultra-violet disinfection robots that deconstruct
the DNA of deadly pathogens and eliminate common health care-associated
infection culprits.
Beginning tomorrow morning, Jupiter Medical Center will be implementing
a ‘no visitation’ policy with the exception of Labor &
Delivery and Pediatric patients, who will be permitted one visitor. While
the hospital recognizes this policy is highly inconvenient for patients
and their loved ones, it is becoming necessary to reduce the likelihood
of exposure.
The medical center has temporarily suspended health and wellness classes,
professional CME and community events. Volunteer services and the hospital’s
Motor Aid patient transport system also have been suspended.
If you or a loved one are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, members of the
public are advised to call their primary care provider (PCP) for a screening.
Or you may call the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 hotline
which is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at 1 (866) 779-6121.
About Jupiter Medical Center
Ranked #1 for quality, patient safety, and patient satisfaction, Jupiter
Medical Center is the leading destination for world-class health care
in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. In 2019,
The Leapfrog Group named Jupiter Medical Center a "Top Hospital," a distinction
earned by only 6 percent of hospitals nationwide. Jupiter Medical Center
is also the only hospital in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian
River counties to receive a 4-star quality and safety rating from the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Outstanding physicians, state-of-the-art facilities, innovative techniques,
and a commitment to serving the community enable Jupiter Medical Center
to meet a broad range of patient needs. The region's only independent,
not-for-profit hospital, Jupiter Medical Center offers specialty concentrations
in orthopedics and spine care; cancer care and oncology; cardiac and vascular
care; neuroscience and stroke care; women's and children's services;
urgent care; and other key areas.
For more information on Jupiter Medical Center, please call (561) 263-2200 or visit
www.jupitermed.com.
For more information about Jupiter Medical Center’s efforts regarding
COVID-19, visit
www.jupitermed.com/coronavirus.
MEDIA CONTACT
Ernestine Williams
Jupiter Medical Center
561.263.3852
561.401.2571
Ernestine.Williams@jupitermed.com