Gig Harbor’s hospital “mission control” playing key role in coronavirus crisis

Chi Franciscan has ramped up its “mission control center” in Gig Harbor to handle the coronavirus emergency, the health care system said.

The 5,000-square-foot center is at 4700 Point Fosdick Drive, in a building that also serves Gig Harbor’s St. Anthony hospital. It flags delays and prioritizes the highest-need patients. Mission control was designed to take a “bird eye’s view” of the health care system’s eight regional hospitals, spot trends and find bottlenecks.

In the current crisis, the center is being used to keep track of available “negative air-flow” rooms for treating coronavirus patients. A negative airflow room is one in which the ventilation system allows air flow into the room, but not out of it, preventing contaminated air from escaping.

CDC guidelines call for patients with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus Disease to be isolated and placed in a negative airflow room. In the last week, CHI Franciscan has doubled the number of negative airflow rooms available, said Cary Evans, vice-president of communications.

“We have the necessary supplies and are prepared to identify, isolate and treat any potential patient who seeks care in our facilities,” Evan said through the hospital group’s public-relations firm.

One patient so far

St. Anthony’s had one coronavirus patient, a Puyallup man in his 50s who sought treatment March 6 after suffering pneumonia-like symptoms. He is recovering and has been released from the hospital, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Tuesday, March 17.

The hospital has been unable to release any further information about the patient, where he may have been or who he may have contacted, due to federal privacy rules. The hospital has not allowed media access to its director or other medical staff, channeling all inquiries to CHI Franciscan’s public relations firm.

Another patient, a woman in her 60s, is from Gig Harbor but is apparently being treated elsewhere. The health department has not revealed the location.

How to get tested

In a statement last week, CHI Franciscan asked that patients do not go to the emergency room or urgent care unless symptoms are severe, such as high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. If patients have milder symptoms like cough, low-grade fever, or other respiratory problems, they should contact their regular doctor.

People experiencing mild symptoms can also set a virtual appointment online. CHI Franciscan has waived its usual fees for online consultations, which can be set up by calling 1-855-356-8053.

The hospital group has also set up a system of COVID-19 triage centers where walk-in patients can be assessed, although not tested, for the coronavirus.

Local triage centers are at Franciscan Prompt Care, 4700 Point Fosdick Dr #102 in Gig Harbor, and Harrison Port Orchard Urgent Care, 450 S Kitsap Blvd #100, Port Orchard.

CHI Franciscan Health says so far it’s been able to meet the current demand of patients as the numbers of those infected with COVID-19 increase.

After the launch of 11 triage screening sites in Pierce and Kitsap counties last week, the health care system processed more than 1,300 people in one day.

Matt Metsker, a division director with Franciscan’s clinical command center said that on Tuesday of last week, outpatient triage units used to screen patients for testing saw 1,325 patients.

The health system’s virtual care staff also has been processing several hundred patients a day.

The triage centers test patients “who meet the criteria for COVID-19,” CHI Franciscan said. “We are following current testing guidance from the CDC and the state DOH for patients who meet the established criteria. This includes signs and symptoms, such as fever or lower respiratory illness (e.g. cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) as well as travel to higher risk countries,” according to an informational sheet it released March 10.

New rules for hospital visits

St. Anthony and other CHI Franciscan hospitals are also following rules set down in an emergency proclamation by Gov. Jay Inslee limiting visits to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

Family members can’t visit unless they have been screened for signs of symptoms of COVID-19, including fever of 100.4 or higher, cough or difficulty breathing; contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 14 days or are under investigation for COVID-19.

In addition, visitors must be adults who can show identification, sign a log and list their phone numbers and email addresses, and they must visit their family member in their own room, not a common area.

The new rules affect about 55,000 individuals who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, according to Cheryl Strange, Secretary of the state Department of Health and Social Services.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recommends that people over age 60 avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. People at high risk (chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, people with weakened immune systems and those who are pregnant) should avoid attending events with large crowds such as concerts, church and fairs or festivals.

For employers and businesses, the department said, “We encourage agencies that serve the elderly, immune compromised or pregnant woman to consider postponing special events and meetings.”

Debbie Cockrell of The News Tribune contributed to this story.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.