Lompoc Valley Medical Center shares COVID-19 preparation update
LOMPOC, Calif. - The Lompoc Valley Medical Center provided a COVID-19 community update for Lompoc Valley residents including information about donations, positive test results and upcoming hospital testing capabilities.
The update shared the following:
Personal Protective Equipment: At this time, the medical center is running low on certain types of PPE. However, earlier this week, they received a large shipment of N95 masks and are now able to amend their masking police and increase the use of N95 masks for the safety of the patients and healthcare workers.
Hospital Patient Volume/Surge Plans: Overall patient volume at LVMC is currently at a normal level and the census at other hospitals within the county is significantly below normal levels. Nonetheless, the three hospitals and the County of Santa Barbara are planning for a surge, or increase, in patient volume over the next 1-2 months. Each hospital has its own specific Surge Plan and are planning alternative care sites in case of patient overflow with Santa Barbara County. They are expecting these alternative care sites to be available very soon.
Champion Center/County Misstatement: At a County press conference April 1, it was incorrectly stated that the “old Lompoc Hospital” (Champion Center) will be available to take patients beginning next week. The County immediately acknowledged that this is incorrect and was a misstatement. The potential use of the Champion Center is in discussion, but no determinations have been made.
COVID-19 Test Results: To date, of the 98 tests initiated by LVMC, six are positive, 63 are negative, and 29 are still pending. Presently, one confirmed positive patient in LVMC and eight “rule-out” patients with pending results. The California Department of Public Health currently shows 12 positive results for Lompoc. Although we cannot exactly reconcile the difference between Public Health's 12 count and the six known by LVMC, the hospital presumes it involves tests that were initiated outside of Lompoc and/or institutions that have other means of testing and report directly to Public Health.
COVID-19 Hospital Wing: In order to minimize exposure to the virus for patients and healthcare workers, LVMC has established a COVID-19 wing within their medical-surgical unit. It currently holds 10 beds and has the ability to expand.
Upcoming Testing Capabilities: LVMC has the laboratory equipment necessary to do on-site testing for the coronavirus with a 45-minute turnaround. The hospital said they are only waiting for the vendor to install software and provide the testing supplies. LVMC also has an order in for the rapid test kits which enable 15-minute turnaround time. Due to delays with both vendors, these new testing capabilities are expected sometime in May. The little bit of good news is that the turnaround time for tests at LVMC is still decreasing with most test results known in three days or less.
Elective Surgery: The LVMC suspension of elective surgery has been continued through the end of April. An “elective” is any surgery or procedure that can be postponed without causing harm or potential harm to the patient. Doctors will determine which surgeries or procedures are considered elective. This policy will be reassessed by the hospital near the end of April.
Comprehensive Care Center: LVMC said their CCC is doing well. As of today, there are no COVID-19 patients/residents and only two patients under isolation protocol. Staff at the CCC are working diligently to ensure residents have activities and access to their loved ones.
Lompoc Health Tele-visits: Over the past few days, Lompoc Health has initiated and fine-tuned its ability to offer remote video physician visits. This service will be widely available beginning Monday, April 6. In the short term, it will only be available for existing Lompoc Health patients, but they expect it will be made available to new patients soon.
Emergency Room: Although the total number of individuals coming to the LVMC Emergency Room is lower than normal, the number of individuals coming to the ER for “COVID-19 rule-out” is starting to increase. Because of this, LVMC will erect a tent outside the ER by the end of the week to act as a part of their Surge Plan and maximize isolation and minimize exposure.
LVMC Medical Staff: Many members of the LVMC Medical Staff have volunteered to provide medical care outside of their normal care settings should the need arise. The hospital said it is also reaching out to other physicians and healthcare workers in the area.
Donations: LVMC would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for donating much-needed Personal Protective Equipment, supplies and food to their healthcare workers, as well as other acts of kindness: L3Harris Technologies; Astrotech Corp.; Harbor Freight; Home Depot; Direct Relief; Heath Dental; CHC Dental; Mikowicz Dental; Kimberly Nails; Not Alone Plumbing; Artisan Uprising Winery/Azeo Distillery; Starbuck’s Store 496; Tom’s Burgers; Super Grill; Sign Gypsies Central Coast, and Patricia Thomassen.
For more information about LVMC or to ask questions, please contact Cheif Executive Officer Steve Popkin at popkins@lompocvmc.com or call (805) 737-3301.
