Carson Tahoe Hospital: 'We are no longer living in an abundance of caution; now, we're in it'

As COVID-19 cases soar in Northern Nevada and local and regional hospitals are reaching capacity, Carson Tahoe Hospital in Carson City is making changes to adapt to the surge of cases.

Like the rest of Northern Nevada, the nation, and the world, Carson Tahoe has spent the last 8-10 months planning. Planning to be prepared in a crisis so we can still take care of our community; planning to persevere; planning to help one another.

Now – we’re in it.

The Quad County area (specifically Carson City) is seeing more COVID cases than ever. We are no longer living in “an abundance of caution” but rather, proactively changing processes and thoughtfully reacting to the current situation.

Here is how Carson Tahoe is proactively addressing the concerns of our community:

Capacity: Most, if not all, regional hospitals are operating at a nearly full capacity. We’ve been making adjustments in patient placement, moving patients based on acuity and common conditions, finding alternate hold areas for patients ready to be discharged, freeing up beds for Emergency Department admits, and helping to preserve our staffing levels during this ongoing pandemic.

As a continuum of care, with access to a system of resources, we are utilizing our alternate care sites (like the Long Term Acute Care facility and potentially Sierra Surgery).

This will allow us to provide the same level of care to our patients while best using our available resources (physicians, nurses, techs, sitters, etc.) for additional patients.

Elective Procedures & Sierra Surgery: For the safety of our staff and patients and per recommendations from the U.S. Surgeon General and the American College of Surgeons, effective immediately, elective/non-urgent surgeries and procedures have been postponed and will be monitored and re-evaluated on a regular basis.

• This allows our Carson Tahoe staff to address the new resurgence of COVID cases and utilize our available resources to ensure a safe and healthy environment for those who receive and provide care through our facilities.
• Emergency surgeries/procedures have not been suspended.

Additionally, Carson Tahoe has temporarily closed the lab & EKG services at Sierra Surgery until further notice. If you are looking for lab/EKG services, please go to the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center or Carson Tahoe Specialty Medical Center (lab only). All imaging services, including the Breast Center, are still open.

Access To Care: Please stay home if you’re feeling sick and we encourage you to self-quarantine. If you feel you need medical attention for respiratory illness/cough/fever, please call the Carson City Health & Human Services COVID-19 hotline (775) 283-4789 to determine if you need to seek further medical care.

COVID-19 Testing
The tent outside our emergency department is open again. This time it is an extension of our emergency department. It is serving as an annex to triage patients safely and effectively as our numbers increase.

The ED Triage Tent will be open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The tent is staffed with emergency personnel and is for anyone seeking emergency care. It is NOT for COVID screening.

Please note – we are still performing symptomatic testing at Carson Urgent Care. The only reason we test at the Emergency Department is if a patient needs a higher level of care and perhaps should be hospitalized.

Conserving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Carson Tahoe has been aware of the new challenges in the PPE supply chain, onset by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since February, when we first called a Code Yellow (business not as usual), we’ve been conserving and closely monitoring our usage of gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, gowns, hair covers, and more.

Although the supply chain is not scheduled to normalize anytime soon, and cases continue to increase, we will continue to conserve following CDC Guidelines, all for the safety of our staff and patients.

Controlled Access & Limiting Visitation: The main entrance and emergency room entrance at the Regional Medical Center are the only way for patients (and select guests) to enter the facility.

The Regional Medical Center main entrance will be open from 6:00am to 6:00pm. Before 6:00am or after 6:00pm all public access is through the main Emergency Department entrance.

ALL patients and staff are required to wear a mask upon entering any CTH facility and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Additionally, we are screening everyone for fever, cough, or signs of respiratory illness upon entry to our locations. If a fever or signs of a respiratory illness are detected, the person will immediately be isolated and screened for COVID-19.

Based on guidance from the CDC and the principal of social distancing, Carson Tahoe Health is continuing to restrict visitors to help protect patients, patient support individuals, and staff from the potential spread of COVID-19.

Visitor Limitation Guidelines (Since 8/10/2020 - Current): No visitors will be allowed with the following guidelines/exceptions:

• A laboring patient may be accompanied by two designated birth partners.
• A pediatric patient may be accompanied by one caregiver, or both parents/guardians.
• An incapacitated, disoriented, or confused patient may be accompanied by one caregiver.
• ICU status patients will be allowed one visitor for 30 minutes during the day. For ICU status patients who have been put on comfort care, or are clinically deteriorating, additional family members may be allowed in on a case-by-case basis; at the caregiver’s discretion.
• Children under the age of 12 will not be permitted to visit.
• Isolation units will remain on a no visitor restriction except if patient is critically ill or deteriorating.
• The CDC does not recommend the use of vented masks for COVID-19 transmission prevention, so are no longer allowing vented masks to be worn by staff, patients, or visitors.

Canceled Events/Classes: At this time, all Carson Tahoe wellness & classes or support groups are canceled, with the exception of several offered online through Zoom. Visit CarsonTahoe.com/Calendar to learn more.

Ways To Support Our Caregivers: We have always known that our strength is in our people. When we all come together, we can meet any challenge. As we rise to meet the healthcare challenges currently facing our community, we encourage you to lend your support any way you can.

The most important way to support us is to continue to take this pandemic seriously. Wash your hands, wear a mask, stay home if you can, and practice social distancing. Help us help you!

Additionally, on our COVID-19 Updates page (accessible through CarsonTahoe.com), you’ll find the various ways we’d appreciate your support, including homemade cloth masks, kind notes, PPE, and more. You’ll also find links to informational blogs, both English & Spanish resources, and more.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time as we do all we can to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients, staff, and community.