The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation has created the SoutheastHEALTH Response and Recovery Fund (RRF) to support first responders and healthcare workers affected by disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
SoutheastHEALTH Foundation has seed funded the new program with a donation of $10,000.
The mission of the SoutheastHEALTH RRF is to improve the health and social welfare of SoutheastHEALTH healthcare workers, first responders and at-risk patients by meeting short and long-term public health, medical and social service needs.
The RRF already has been endorsed by both Cape and Jackson Police and Fire departments.
Curt Buchheit, SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Board President, says, “One hundred percent of donations received will go to foster and accelerate the collective impact of our health system, care providers and first responders to help restore the health of communities and families affected by COVID-19. All donations will remain local. The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation will manage the distribution of funds to SoutheastHEALTH and its employees and patients and local first responders who may suffer significant hardship during this crisis.”
"Throughout the current pandemic, be assured of the resilience of SoutheastHEALTH’s healthcare system, community and their dedicated employees. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians, police, fire and support personnel will spend days and nights on the front line of this healthcare crisis, providing care and safe shelter to their neighbors in need, despite the circumstances that may await them at their own homes,” said SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO Ken Bateman.
In times of need, the public turns to their health system as a trusted destination for care. We have already begun to see our employees make remarkable personal sacrifices to ensure that care continues in our community. This fund is an opportunity not only to provide help to those folks who are most impacted by the virus, but also to acknowledge the importance of the entire healthcare team and our collaborative partners in the fire and police departments.
SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Establishes COVID-19
Response and Recovery Fund
Cape Girardeau, Mo. (March 25, 2020) - The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation has created a SoutheastHEALTH Response and Recovery Fund (RRF) which will accept donations to support first responders and healthcare workers affected by disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic. SoutheastHEALTH Foundation President Patti Ranzini says the mission of the SoutheastHEALTH RRF is to improve the health and social welfare of SoutheastHEALTH employees, first responders and at-risk patients by meeting short and long-term public health, medical and social service needs.
SoutheastHEALTH Foundation has seed funded the new program with a donation of $10,000. Donors can text to give securely through One Cause, RRF2020 to 243725.
As “second responders” in any disaster circumstance, nonprofits are called upon to support their communities, often the most vulnerable members, through increased need for services in areas such as food insecurity, transportation, mental and physical wellbeing and more. As the scope of needs continues to be identified, the Foundation will distribute funds to those people or areas most in need, which may include patient transportation, meal delivery or social services.
Ranzini added that the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation has agreed to partner with local first responders, EMS, fire and rescue and police departments as their needs arise. The RRF already has the endorsement of both Cape and Jackson Police and Fire departments.
Curt Buchheit, SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Board President, says, “One hundred percent of donations received will go to foster and accelerate the collective impact of our health system, care providers and first responders to help restore the health of communities and families affected by COVID-19. All donations will remain local. The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation will manage the distribution of funds to SoutheastHEALTH and its employees and patients and local first responders who may suffer significant hardship during this crisis.”
“Throughout the current pandemic, be assured of the resilience of SoutheastHEALTH’s healthcare system, community and their dedicated employees. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians, police, fire and support personnel will spend days and nights on the front line of this healthcare crisis, providing care and safe shelter to their neighbors in need, despite the circumstances that may await them at their own homes,” said SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO Ken Bateman. “In times of need, the public turns to their health system as a trusted destination for care. We have already begun to see our employees make remarkable personal sacrifices to ensure that care continues in our community. This fund is an opportunity not only to provide help to those folks who are most impacted by the virus, but also to acknowledge the importance of the entire healthcare team and our collaborative partners in the fire and police departments.”
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.
Cape Girardeau, MO - As most of you have probably heard already, orders for standard/disposable masks are in limited supply. To help with this shortage, we are asking those in our community who can sew, to get crafty and help us as we continue to prepare for COVID-19.
Here’s how it works:
• Start by watching the following video below to learn how to make a face mask >> http://ow.ly/4S9y50yT5ji
• Use the supplied mask pattern, courtesy of The Turban Project >> http://ow.ly/U8ui50yT5jg
• Use tightly-woven cotton fabric on both sides.
• Please remember that both women and men in a variety of roles may wear these masks.
• When your masks are complete, please drop off at 1849 Broadway in Cape. There will be a collection bin by the front door.
• Collected masks will be immediately sent to laundry/processing to be sterilized and prepared for use.
SoutheastHEALTH has announced that effective Monday, March 23, elective surgeries at Southeast Hospital will be postponed. We are taking this action under the advisement and recommendations of state and federal reporting entities.
We will continue to accept urgent cases as they come to us. This precautionary measure, while unprecedented for SoutheastHEALTH, is to help us preserve critical personal protective equipment (PPE) while keeping bedside clinicians in our hospital and our community constituents as safe as possible.
Southeast’s current supply level is good. However, the situation evolves daily. If we experience a critical need, we will follow the protocol for reporting to the Southeast Region’s Non-Urban Healthcare Coalition.
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.
SoutheastHEALTH is committed to putting patient, family, volunteer, staff and community safety at the forefront of all we do. We are taking the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic very seriously and are adopting a comprehensive approach to managing the situation as it develops.
We have set up a COVID-19 Resource Center and are taking the proper precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Over the course of the last several weeks we have taken specific actions based on CDC/DHSS recommendations and guidelines. Today, we are taking the following actions at Southeast Hospital and the SoutheastHEALTH system of care:
Southeast Hospital
We are suspending Volunteer Services in an effort to keep these valued stakeholders well.
Beginning Monday, March 16, volunteers will no longer be on campus until further notice.
The Ruby Room gift shop will remain open to serve patients and visitors. It is staffed by paid employees.
Our shuttle service on the main hospital campus will continue to operate until further notice. This service provides transportation from parking lots to the main Lobby entrance.
Our valet service provided for Southeast Cancer Center patients will continue to operate until further notice in effort to make visits to the Cancer Center as stress-free as possible for our most vulnerable patients.
We are limiting visitors until further notice.
Only TWO visitors will be allowed per patient.
No visitor under the age of 12 will be permitted.
In some instances, visitation may be adjusted to meet the patient’s needs.
Visitors and patients will be screened upon entry and at all outpatient clinics, Convenient Care and the Cancer Center.
We are limiting vendors. Only vendors essential to operations will be permitted.
We are ensuring all individuals who enter the hospital have access to hand sanitizers and CDC informational brochures
Main Lobby entrance
Patient, Visitor, Employee entrance from parking garage to main lobby.
Emergency Services entrance
We have taken the initiative to cancel/postpone sponsored events to limit group congregation in tight spaces, including the following:
Volunteer Recruitment Luncheon scheduled on March 25
Senior Super scheduled for March 26
Patient Experience Extravaganza scheduled for April 22
Ambulatory Clinics
An attendant will be stationed at the entrance of each SoutheastHEALTH clinic on the West Campus, Cancer Center, Broadway Campus and Doctors Park in Cape Girardeau, Southeast Primary Care and Southeast Convenient Care in Jackson.
Patients will be asked about travel out of the country and if they are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath.
If the patient answers “yes” to these questions, they will be provided a mask and taken to a designated waiting area, segregated from other patients.
Patients with family members will be allowed one individual to assist. That individual will follow the same screening protocol as the patient. All others who may accompany the patient will be asked to wait outside the building.
Exams will be conducted in a designated exam room and clinical staff will don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) prior to entering the exam room.
Once the patient has been examined, medically advised and discharged, an attendant will escort them to the nearest exit if they are discharged to home.
The exam room will be decontaminated using “terminal cleaning” (deep cleaning) procedures.
Southeast Home Health and Hospice is screening all patients via phone.
COVID-19 Testing
Patients who report to Emergency Services or ambulatory clinics with COVID-19 symptoms will, if they meet CDC guidelines:
First be assessed by the provider.
Then if determined necessary, have a flu and/or strep swab based on symptoms.
Then if deemed appropriate, a respiratory panel.
Upon a negative test result, the patient will be screened and tested for COVID-19 based on specific criteria set by the CDC and DHSS.
If criteria is met, a specimen will be sent to the Missouri State Lab in Jefferson City for processing.
If a patient’s symptoms are severe and warrant immediate hospitalization, they will be placed in isolation with a dedicated care team in a dedicated room.
If symptoms do not warrant hospitalization, patients will be sent home with instructions to self-isolate.
As we have from the outset of this emerging medical situation, we are following protocols as set forth by the CDC and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. These precautionary measures are meant to help keep everyone in our community as safe as possible. For more information about COVID-19 and measures to help protect you, visit SEhealth.org/COVID19. We will share regular updates as we continue to monitor this rapidly-evolving situation. We appreciate your cooperation. Any questions relative to our services and response to COVID-19 can be directed to SoutheastHEALTH’s Public Relations team at 573-519-4908.
