Direct Line from Steve Edwards for 5/8/2020
These are complex and difficult times, and in the wake of COVID-19, hospitals across the nation are struggling financially. Most have been forced to make extremely difficult decisions, including layoffs, furloughing employees and cuts in retirement plans. At this point in time, CoxHealth has chosen a different path. We are worried about the thousands of patients who have deferred care, and we want to make sure we have the resources, especially staff, to take care of them. We believe it is possible to avoid draconian measures if we manage to our productivity standards well, and bring up patient volumes to care for our community. This does not eliminate the possibility of these more difficult decisions in the future, but if we work smart and hard now, there is an increased likelihood of avoiding harsh reductions.
Currently, the incidence of COVID-19 in Greene County and the other communities we serve is low; it is generally 10 times less than St. Louis, for example. We have a strong supply of PPE, we have built more capacity, we have rapidly refined procedures and practices to incorporate best practice for safely managing inside the reality of this pandemic. With nearly 6,000 patients waiting on surgeries and procedures, we believe the medical consequences of not receiving care will be worse than the pandemic itself.
We have prepared to open fully and safely. It is our goal to meet the needs of our community. This may include expanding operating hours, doing procedures and surgeries on the weekend, and will likely require more staff. At this point in time, there are no layoffs at CoxHealth. We are a family, and we believe we will need everyone on our team.
Message to community about safely increasing procedures/surgeries
In this video message that we are sharing with the public, Dr. Tim Jones, president of Cox Medical Group, explains what CoxHealth is doing to increase medically necessary, time sensitive procedures, and make our facilities safe for patients when they need care.
Governor Parson recognizes CoxHealth for COVID preps
We were grateful to have Governor Mike Parson and our First Lady visit CoxHealth this week to recognize CoxHealth as a state leader in COVID preparation. Here is an excerpt from the Springfield News-Leader article, “Parson repeatedly praised the hospital in conversation with CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards, telling him at one point that seeing Cox build the new ICU in a matter of weeks gave the state a sense it had a fighting chance amid the outbreak. ‘I think that gave us all relief,’ he said. ‘That was one of those “wow” moments.’”
Universal masking at CoxHealth
In light of our community’s opening, and an increase in volume on our campuses, all employees and providers on CoxHealth campuses are now wearing masks or face coverings while in public areas. This is an expansion of our masking policy in place for several weeks that required all employees with direct patient care to mask.
Two CoxHealth hospitals earn 5-star designations
CoxHealth’s two critical access hospitals – Cox Monett Hospital and Cox Barton County Hospital – have earned the prestigious five-star designation in patient satisfaction by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Cox Monett and Cox Barton County are the only two critical access hospitals in Missouri to achieve this high ranking.
Voice of the patient
“The ER staff were very caring and efficient. This was a traumatic event - COVID19 admission and the staff were very comforting…I was in serious condition the first several days of my 13 day stay. The nurses were very attentive and also explained everything that was going on. I can only praise all staff who served in the COVID ward. They put themselves in harm's way in order to care for me…The doctors who attended me were very gracious and kind. They demonstrated real concern for me. They very clearly explained my condition...The staff were very kind during my discharge and congratulatory that I was ready to go home after such an ordeal. The staff were incredible and very concerned about how I was doing. I could not have hope for better care. The team at CoxHealth made a very difficult stay more bearable. I can't say enough about the excellent care and their kindness.”
Thank you for everything you do to support our patients and our community,
Steve
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