Southeast Announces Unique COVID-19 Testing Regimes Designed to Save Lives and Get People Back to Work
Cape Girardeau, MO - SoutheastHEALTH has announced its laboratory in Cape Girardeau has been verified to perform COVID-19 rapid result molecular and serology testing, for fast turnaround times, quicker clinical response and reduced quarantine time, thus lowering the risk of transmission to others.
Southeast Laboratory team has worked closely with three national testing companies to bring these capabilities to Southeast’s Laboratory. These advanced options will allow in-house COVID-19 processing and the ability to enter these results directly into the patient’s ‘mySeHEALTH’ electronic medical record. The most critical and highly suspicion tests will receive priority. Result time will depend on volume. However, most test results will be returned in a few hours and inpatient tests that are considered urgent based on the patient’s condition can be returned within an hour.
In the upcoming weeks, Southeast will communicate additional services utilizing these advanced testing options for community and employer groups requiring workforce screenings to further assist in getting their businesses operational again.
“We are incredibly proud of the teamwork involved in making this happen so quickly. This will benefit our patients, health care workers and the general public. The health and safety of our patients and communities are of the utmost importance to Southeast,” said Ken Bateman, President and CEO of SoutheastHEALTH. “We hope the addition of more testing capabilities that expedite results will calm worries and jumpstart this community’s economic engine again.”
“Thanks to my team’s extensive background in disease pathology, we have the expertise and resources to accomplish this,” said George Wettach, MD, Medical Director of Southeast Laboratory Services. “Getting this completed so quickly took amazing teamwork by our laboratory staff. We all are working together in the best interest of patients and residents of southeast Missouri. With any new test platform, there is a rigorous validation process, making sure the equipment provides accurate and timely results for our patients,” noted Wettach.
All completed test results will be sent to the state for COVID-19 reporting purposes. Patients with positive test results will be contacted with instructions on how to care for themselves at home, symptom management and when to contact a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen.
Southeast’s Laboratory in part was chosen to be the first lab in the southeast region to obtain this advanced testing, due to their expansive outreach lab footprint, currently serving over 680 clients in 10 states across southeast region of the U.S. In addition, SoutheastHEALTH provides services for over 50 employer group with direct contracts supporting over 30,000 covered lives in southeast Missouri.
To learn more about Southeast’s ongoing strategies to address COVID-19 visit sehealth.org/COVID19.
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 Continues to Offer Pre-Screens, Testing for COVID-19
Cape Girardeau, MO - SoutheastHEALTH is continuing to offer pre-screening and testing for COVID-19 as we work through this healthcare challenge. Individuals who are concerned that they may be infected with COVID-19 may call the SoutheastHEALTH hotline, 573-519-4983. This is a 24/7 hotline staffed by a nurse who will ask callers about symptoms.
If pre-screening questions warrant further investigation, individuals are directed for testing at Southeast Primary Care. If callers do not have a primary care physician, SoutheastHEALTH will connect callers with providers. This screening process is currently focused on symptomatology, including fever, shortness of breath, cough and travel history.
As of April 15, the drive-through testing site at Arena Park was closed due to a rapid decline in the number of tests performed at the site each day, partly due to Missouri’s Stay at Home order. If the region experiences a surge in positive COVID-19 cases, the center will reopen.
SoutheastHEALTH continues to monitor and respond as necessary to the COVID-19 situation in and around Cape County. SoutheastHEALTH encourages individuals to follow Stay at Home orders as much as possible while also practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
Also be reassured that during these challenging times, SoutheastHEALTH will continue to provide all patients with the quality care they expect and deserve.
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.
Dexter, MO - Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County, in collaboration with the Stoddard County Ambulance District, Stoddard County Health Center and other members of the Homeland Security Response Team, will be erecting a portion of the Region E mobile hospital in front of the facility. The tent structures will allow the staff to triage patients before they enter the hospital who might have symptoms associated with COVID-19. Those individuals will be routed into a separate area to avoid potential exposure to other patients.
We continue to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 situation in our community. The construction of these tents should not be alarming or cause concern. It should help reassure you that our highest priority is patient, staff and community safety. Also be reassured that during this challenging time we will continue to provide patients with the quality care they expect and deserve.
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.
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.
