Starting this week, Ballad Health will be among the first healthcare systems in the nation to deploy rapid testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Instead of test results for COVID-19 taking five to seven days, this new rapid molecular test, developed by diagnostics company Cepheid, will provide patients in the Appalachian Highlands with test results in five to seven hours. “Ballad Health has been working hard to serve the needs of the community during this trying time and finding ways to streamline testing for COVID-19 has been one of our top priorities,” said Brad Price, senior vice president and chief integration officer at Ballad Health. Price said Ballad Health will have the capacity to process approximately 50 of the rapid tests per day, but that number is expected to grow in the coming weeks. “To better meet the needs of our community, our executive leadership team has decided to invest additional dollars into increasing the capacity so that we will be able to process around 400 rapid tests per day within the next…

With schools closing to flatten the curve and slow or prevent the spread of Covid-19, many team members are facing challenges in locating child care for school-aged children. Even for those who have families or other support available, that help may be strained. Child Care Resource site The team at Ballad Health, working in conjunction with many community resources, has developed a site that may provide assistance locating resources. “Child Care Resource” can be found on the Intranet under Human Resources. It is a compilation of organizations and local resources and individuals who have provided their contact information for you. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Ballad Health has NOT screened these resources and does not provide endorsement. This serves more as a starter list of possibilities. Community assistance Additionally, we’ve been in contact with many churches throughout our region and they are mobilizing their congregations as a resource for their members. We are especially grateful to the…

During this time of increased stress due to COVID-19, it’s important for all our team members to take extra care of themselves. This means practicing social distancing and following hygiene guidelines so we’re safe to treat our patients and do our jobs, but just as importantly, it means taking care of ourselves with healthy habits. This includes things like eating right, finding time for exercise, getting enough sleep, and doing activities that are good for your mind and spirit. B-Well program Our B-Well wellness program is still going strong, despite the necessary changes to any group activities. It’s still important to get those steps or do other activities that keep you physically active. Get outside whenever possible — but practice social distancing! The same goes for the advice B-Well has promoted since last year about practicing good nutrition. It will make a difference in how you feel, especially during times of great stress. Be on…

TO: Ballad Health Leaders (Managers, Directors, AVP, VP, SVP, EVP) FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center DATE: March 28, 2020 (Saturday edition) TITLE: Daily COVID-19 briefing – March 28, 2020 ACTION: Please post and cascade to all team members. This is a review of the major activities that occurred today related to the COVID-19 response.   COVID-19 testing for team members and medical staff In accordance with CDC guidelines for healthcare workers, Ballad Health team members and members of the medical staff will be tested for COVID-19 based on symptoms and epidemiological criteria if exposure occurs. All testing will be coordinated with the Ballad Health infection prevention team, team member health and the Tennessee or Virginia Department of Health. If testing occurs, the individual must remain in quarantine at home until the test results are reported. If the individual tests positive, they must follow the guidelines of the State’s Department of Health. If the…

TO: Ballad Health Leaders (Managers, Directors, AVP, VP, SVP, EVP) FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center DATE: March 26, 2020 TITLE: Daily COVID-19 briefing – March 26, 2020 ACTION: Please post and cascade to all team members. This is a review of the major activities that occurred today related to the COVID-19 response.   Implementation of daily face mask use for clinical team members Beginning Friday, March 27, all team members and physicians person providing direct patient care at our inpatient, acute facilities will be issued one surgical face mask at the beginning of their shifts. We are implementing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for extended use and reuse of surgical masks. Care should be taken to ensure team members do not touch outer surfaces of the mask during care, and mask removal and replacement must be done in a careful and deliberate manner. Face shields should be used…

TO: Ballad Health Leaders (Managers, Directors, AVP, VP, SVP, EVP) FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Cente DATE: March 25, 2020 TITLE: Daily COVID-19 briefing – March 25, 2020 ACTION: Please post and cascade to all team members. This is a review of the major activities that occurred today related to the COVID-19 response.   Lonesome Pine Hospital (LPH) designated as Wise Co. regional COVID-19 hospital In an abundance of caution, in anticipation of potential community need, and due to the positive COVID19 case reported at the Heritage Hall nursing home in Big Stone Gap, Va., we have decided to implement a regional COVID-19 surge plan for Wise County, Virginia. LPH will be designated as the Wise County COVID-19 treatment and quarantine facility. This move will ensure acute care patients who can be treated in a community hospital will be served in a facility focused on their needs, while other patients with health care needs…

FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center DATE: March 23, 2020 TITLE: Daily COVID-19 briefing – March 23, 2020 ACTION: Please post and cascade to all team members. This is a review of the major activities that occurred today related to the COVID-19 response.   Updated travel restrictions All paid time off (PTO) for the next 30 days (April 20) – even if previously approved – related to travel outside of the 21 county Ballad Health service area is canceled. If a team member has already departed on a trip, they do not need to come back early (unless additional restrictions are in place for their destination), but they will need to contact Team Member Health upon their return and follow quarantine instructions. All other travel PTO requests will not be approved, and team members who choose to leave the area without approval will face disciplinary action. Team members can use PTO if they plan…

Due to safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ballad Health is suspending the health risk assessment (HRA) and labs/wellness screening requirements for team members during the FY21 plan year. This means the wellness program screenings will not be offered in our hospitals, and in most instances, team members will not need to obtain their lab work and biometrics from their primary care provider. NOTE: This is NOT related to the COVID-19 screenings. This refers only to our team member wellness program. For more information on the FY21 wellness process, visit the HR site on the intranet here. Here’s a look at how this change affects team members: Team members/spouses who completed FY20 requirements If you completed your FY20 wellness program requirements (survey, biometrics, labs and coaching if applicable), you will continue to pay the lowest medical premiums going forward. For FY21 there are no additional steps required. Team members/spouses who did not complete wellness requirements…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health has confirmed new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Greene and Sullivan counties. Greene County: Two new COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Sunday, March 22 in Greene County. The health department has been notified and Ballad Health CEOC is working with the appropriate officials to notify anyone that may have been in close contact with the cases. One case was treated, in isolation, at a Ballad Health facility and has since been discharged home for self-isolation. The other case was dispositioned from the emergency department home. Sullivan County: An additional new case was confirmed in Sullivan County on Sunday, March 22. This case was a team member serving at one of our hospitals. Investigators have determined that the positive case is linked to personal travel, not hospital exposure and has also confirmed that this case did not have any contact with patients. Ballad Health CEOC is working with…

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Washington County – the second positive diagnosis in the Appalachian Highlands – has been confirmed, prompting Ballad Health to take additional steps to protect its patients, team members and communities. The new COVID-19 case was confirmed on Friday, March 20, through one of Ballad Health’s drive-thru screening sites. The person who tested positive called the Ballad Health Nurse Connect hotline after feeling symptomatic and underwent the pre-screening process. The person, who recently traveled internationally, has been at home in self-isolation since taking the test. Visitation restriction Effective Saturday, March 21, Ballad Health will restrict all visitation to its inpatient hospital units, long-term care facilities or behavioral health centers. In accordance with recommendations from federal and state authorities, the health system will also postpone certain non-emergent surgeries and procedures. Patients should consult with their physicians to determine if their surgery or procedure will be…

TO: Ballad Health All FROM: Eric Deaton, CEOC Incident Commander DATE: March 20, 2020 TITLE: Updated Visitation Restrictions ACTION: Please cascade to all team members   Effective Saturday, March 21, Ballad Health will not allow visitors in its inpatient hospital units, long-term care facilities or behavioral health centers. Previously, the health system had permitted a single visitor for each patient, and it screened visitors for potential signs of illness. However, the continued spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) necessitated an expansion of this policy to restrict all public guests in its facilities. The only people allowed in our facilities will be physicians, Ballad Health team members and others who are required for the care of our patients. Exceptions Exceptions to this policy include Ballad Health’s labor and delivery units, which will allow one visitor per room. The neonatal intensive care unit at Niswonger Children’s Hospital, as well as rooms with pediatric patients, will allow two…