GETTING READY

Hospitals adding tents to prepare for influx of patients

Local hospitals are implementing tents to deal with the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Mercy Health Lorain is committed to the safety and security of our associates, patients and communities, all of which is why we continue to take COVID-19 seriously,” said Jonathon Fauvie, public relations and communications manager.

“The influx of new, daily developments and information regarding this virus continues to drive local leadership decisions to further prevent and align with federal, state and local health department protocols as well as those being implemented across the Bon Secours Mercy Health ministry.”

Fauvie said the tents are for safety.

“The tents outside of Mercy Health hospitals are an added resource for our emergency departments,” he said. “They are used for COVID-19 screening purposes and to treat patients with mild respiratory symptoms.

“The tents are not testing sites, and they are separate from our flu clinics. They are an added resource that allows our health system to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in hospital emergency department waiting rooms.”

Mercy Health has hospitals in Lorain and Oberlin.

Firelands Regional Health System also added tents to prepare for the anticipated COVID-19 surge, according to a news release.

In the event of a surge, in order to handle a large number of patients at a time, Firelands will set up tents around the main campus.

This tent system will help to alleviate the flow during an influx of patients in a potential surge.

The Hospital Incident Command staff will utilize the tent system in order to triage patients through the emergency room in an efficient manner so they may be treated appropriately, according to the release.

Cleveland Clinic also added tents.

Angela Smith, senior director of corporate communications with Cleveland Clinic, said workers set up tents at all emergency department entrances where patients are being screened prior to entering the facilities.

It’s a precautionary measure to maintain the health and safety of patients and caregivers and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Smith said.

This tent system will help to alleviate the flow during an influx of patients in a potential surge.

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Tents are set up outside Emergency Room entrance at Mercy Health-Lorain Hospital.