St. Francis ED Medical Tent Installed for COVID-19 Patients

St. Francis Medical Center has established a new process for any person arriving at its Emergency Department (ED) who is experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms or respiratory illness.

As of April 13, a new medical tent will be located in the parking lot adjacent to left-side of St. Francis’ ED, on Bert Avenue off of Hamilton.

Upon arrival, all upper respiratory illness and possible COVID-19 patients should follow signs to come to the medical tent first. Patients will be met by a clinician, who will perform a triage, assessing the patient’s condition and level of acuity. All other patients will be directed to the hospital’s Emergency Department for evaluation.

“To assess potential respiratory illness or COVID-19 patients before they enter the hospital reinforces our infection control prevention and patient and colleague safety measures,” said Daniel P. Moen, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Francis Medical Center. “If potential COVID-19 patients need further medical work-up, they will be brought to a separate area of the ED specifically for respiratory illness and COVID-19 cases.”

Mildly symptomatic patients will be treated and if no further evaluation is needed, discharged from the medical tent. Those needing further medical evaluation will be provided with a face mask and escorted by clinical staff to the Emergency Department through its ambulance bay entrance.

Hand-held radios will keep staff in the medical tent and inside the hospital ED in constant contact, so staff in the hospital are ready for the patient when he or she arrives.

Patients who need to be hospitalization for more advanced treatment after ED assessment are cohorted on an isolated unit at St. Francis.

COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider. Your provider will instruct you on the best next steps for your care. If you don’t have a provider, you can call the St. Francis provider referral line at 1-855-599-SFMC (7362).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 patients should get medical attention immediately for warning signs that include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Please notify the operator that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before medical help arrives.

For information on COVID-19, please visit the St. Francis Medical Center website at www.stfrancismedical.org. For further information about COVID-19, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.