Thank you so much for your commitment to the health of our community during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. We have received an outpouring of support – from coffee to fruit, from donated gloves to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), from thank you notes to lunches for all – and for that, we thank you.

Right now, the best way you can support EvergreenHealth Monroe is through direct monetary donations to our Foundation marked specifically for COVID-19 response. Your thoughtful donation will help us continue to care for our current patients both with and without COVID-19, and will help us prepare for the potential future influx of COVID-19 patients.

Visit us online: www.EvergreenHealthFoundation.com/Monroe to make a donation.

Your immediate support today will help ensure our team continues to have the tools and resources available to provide the highest level of care for our patients. We thank you in advance for your continued support.

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Sewing Masks

We have a wonderful team of seamstresses who will meet the current need of surgical/procedural masks, made from sterile wrap. We thank them for their generosity of time and talent.

Should we need additional volunteers for our Sewing Bee we will invite further participation.

Common Questions:

Q. What type of fabric is used to sew a surgical/procedural mask?
Surgical masks are made from sterile wrap which is a sterile plastic fabric made from polypropylene. The sewing kits we will provide will include the appropriate quantity of surgical blue wrap required to make one (1) mask.

Due to sterilization factors, we cannot accept fabric masks that are not made from sterile wrap.

Q. Who will use these surgical/procedural masks?
These masks are crucial to our supply needs and will be used by a variety of people including:

• Pharmacy technicians
• EvergreenHealth employees who are not in direct COVID-19 patient care; these include staff that are screening patients and visitors, food service workers, etc.
• Patients who may be coming to campus for an appointment and are experiencing any illness symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, etc.)

Q. What is included in a sewing kit?
Each sewing kit will create one (1) surgical/procedural mask made from sterile wrap. All materials include sterile wrap, ear loops and instructions will be included in the kit. The only items each seamstress will need is cotton thread (of the color of your choosing!) and a sewing machine.

Once we receive the completed masks back at EvergreenHealth, we will re-sterilize them and distribute for immediate use!

Q. Do I need a sewing machine to sew a mask?
Yes, these kits are designed for sewing machine use.

Q. How can I request a sewing kit?
We are so thankful for the volunteers that have offered their seamstress skills and support to sew surgical/procedural masks. Our group of volunteers will meet the current need of surgical/procedural masks, made from sterile wrap.

For current information about COVID-19 and recommendations for keeping yourself and your family healthy, we recommend these resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Washington State Department of Health
Seattle & King County Public Health
Snohomish Health District

If you have questions, please call the Washington State Department of Health at 1.800.525.0127

If you have overseas travel plans, we encourage you to visit the CDC travel site.

Our 24-Hour Nurse Navigator – Healthline is a free service available any time of day and night. Our consulting nurse service provides home care information, and can help determine if urgent care or emergency care are called for. Call 425.899.3555 with specific questions about COVID-19.

Per the CDC 

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure*:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

COVID-19 in our community is an evolving and ever-changing landscape. For the most up-to-date risk information regarding the risk assessment for contracting COVID-19, visit the CDC.

I don’t know if I’ve been exposed to COVID-19, but I am experiencing symptoms. What should I do?
As always, it is important to remain vigilant in recognizing any significant symptoms—particularly for those with heightened risk, including:

• Seniors
• Individuals with pre-existing health conditions
• Those who are immunocompromised

If you are:
Experiencing mild-general symptoms consistent with a cold or the flu:

• Stay home
• Care for yourself as you normally would for a cold or the flu

Experiencing persistent fever, shortness of breath, or a worsening cough, contact your physician by phone. If you do not have a primary care physician, call EvergreenHealth Monroe’s 24-hour Nurse Navigator - Healthline to speak with a registered nurse at 425.899.3555.

Experiencing significant symptoms, go to the emergency room.

Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.

• If you are experiencing symptoms and feel severe illness, the best place to receive care is the Emergency Department.
• Other alternatives include EvergreenHealth Urgent Care or your EvergreenHealth Primary Care Provider’s office.
• By visiting any of these locations, you become an EvergreenHealth Monroe patient.

What will happen at the Emergency Department?

• Upon arrival to the emergency department, staff will provide you care and assess your symptoms to determine if you should be tested for COVID-19.
• If they determine it is appropriate to perform testing, they will obtain the specimen in the emergency department (by swabbing your nose and throat). They will send the specimen to a lab for processing.
• If your symptoms are not severe enough to require your admission as a patient to the hospital, you will be asked to return home to provide self-care and quarantine until your results are completed.
• A provider or nurse will call you regarding your test results (whether positive or negative) once they are received. This may take up to 5 to 7 days following your test, depending upon lab processing times.

What will happen at the Urgent Care or Primary Care office?

• Upon arrival at the Urgent Care or your Primary Care Provider’s office, staff will provide you care and assess your symptoms to determine if you should be tested for COVID-19.
• If upon assessment the provider and staff determine it is appropriate to perform testing, they will order a test and give you information to return home to provide self-care and quarantine until your results are complete. We will call you to schedule your testing appointment within 24 hours in our EvergreenHealth Drive-Through Care. When you are called to schedule your appointment, you will be provided with instructions for the testing procedure.
• A provider or a nurse will call you regarding your test results (whether positive or negative) once they are received. This may take up to 5 to 7 days following your test appointment, depending upon lab processing times.

In summary, what do I do if I am interested in testing for COVID-19?

• If you have severe illness: go to the emergency department. You may also visit an EvergreenHealth Urgent Care or your EvergreenHealth Primary Care provider’s office.
• You will be evaluated for symptoms to determine if testing is appropriate.
• If you do not require a test as determined by the provider, you will be asked to return home to provide self-care until you are well or your symptoms worsen.
• At our urgent care or primary care office, if the provider determines you do require a test, you will be called to schedule to come to our drive through care to obtain your test specimen.
• If you are tested, you will be called with your results. This may take up to 5 to 7 days following your test, depending upon lab processing times.
• At any point of care, if your symptoms worsen, you should visit the emergency department.

As with all clinical testing and screening, EvergreenHealth Monroe follows evidence-based protocol and guidelines to ensure all patient testing is medically necessary both as a responsible healthcare provider, and partner to our patients.

COVID-19 testing is based on each individual patient’s medical history and symptoms. Your provider will work with you to determine if a COVID-19 test is in the best interest of your health.

• If you have severe illness: go to the emergency department. You may also visit an urgent care or your primary care provider’s office.
• You will be evaluated for symptoms to determine if testing is appropriate.
• If you do not require a test as determined by the provider, you will be asked to return home to provide self-care until you are well or your symptoms worsen.
• At the urgent care or primary care office, if the provider determines you do require a test, you will be called to schedule to come to our drive through care to obtain your test specimen.
• If you are tested, you will be called with your results. This may take up to 5 to 7 days following your test, depending upon lab processing times.
• At any point of care, if your symptoms worsen, you should visit the emergency department.

In general, people at high risk for complications from COVID-19 are:

• People 60 years of age and older
• People with chronic medical conditions
• People with weakened immune systems

Early information shows that older adults as well as those with existing chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, or compromised immunity should take extra precautions in remaining vigilant of symptoms and taking preventative measures.

Individuals in the higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 can prepare and take precautions including these recommendations.

The same good health habits that prevent other viruses, like the flu, also prevent the spread of COVID-19. They also decrease the risk of getting sick, which would make you more susceptible to COVID-19.

These include:

• Stay home when you are sick (fever, cough, cold).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If your hands are visibly dirty, always wash them with soap and water.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your arm. If you use a tissue, discard the tissue in the trash.
  Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects (door handles, light switches) and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.

The likelihood of exposure from visiting for an appointment or to see a patient is a similar risk of exposure we experience every cold and flu season in our communities.

As always, it is important to remain vigilant in recognizing any symptoms and seek care immediately if symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are present. Please visit www.cdc.gov to learn more about symptoms and when to seek care.

At this time, appointments will continue as scheduled. Should there be any changes to your appointment or a different recommendation from your physician, we will notify you as soon as possible.

If you’re in need of canceling an appointment, please contact your physician’s office directly.

If you’re experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please stay home, limit your exposure to other people and monitor symptoms. If symptoms progress, please call 425.899.3555 before visiting EvergreenHealth Monroe.

EvergreenHealth Monroe is performing surgeries for those with urgent needs – for example an appendectomy or a broken wrist that needs surgery – any urgent or emergency surgeries WILL be performed in the same safe environment we always provide. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked that we stop performing elective surgeries – for example a knee replacement – for the next 30 days. (Note: If your physician believes you could be harmed by delaying your elective surgery, he or she may submit a request to physician leadership that the surgery be performed after all.)

We are following these guidelines to conserve our resources – both staff and supplies – for the future. We are fully prepared to safely care for our surgical patients in urgent or emergency situations.

Our physicians, infection control experts and leaders are evaluating to the extent that other appointments may be postponed, as needed. If you have questions about your specific appointment, please contact your physician’s office directly.

Visitor Limitation and Screening Begins Mar. 16

To help protect our patients, visitors, staff, physicians and community, EvergreenHealth Monroe will begin limiting visitors to our hospital, all EHMG practices (Primary Care, Specialty Care), and other areas of care beginning March 16.

Exceptions:

• Patients who are at the end-of-life may have two visitors.
• Patients with disruptive behavior, in which a family member is key to their care, may have one visitor.
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays (where caregiver provides safety) may have one visitor.
• Minors under age 18 may have one visitor, parent, or guardian.
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor who must leave the hospital as soon as possible after the procedure/surgery.
• Patients who have an appointment at an EHMG practice, laboratory, or radiology, as well as those visiting the Emergency may have one person with them.

If you do not meet the exception criteria, you will be asked to return home. PLEASE NOTE: children under age 18 are not allowed in our facilities at this time unless they are the patient.

Every patient and visitor (meeting one of the above exceptions) will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at entry. Those who are experiencing any symptoms will be asked to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, and travel only to and from their destination during their visit. (Please note: twice per shift, we have been screening hospital employees who come into contact with patients.)

Screenings will take place at our Emergency Department entrance. All other entrances/exits will be closed./

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Classes scheduled at EvergreenHealth Monroe are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If a class is canceled, attendees will be contacted directly to confirm.

EvergreenHealth’s Infection Control team continues to actively monitor the COVID-19 situation worldwide and at home. Our focus, always, is on illness prevention, and that remains at the core of our response to this and all health risks.