LewisGale Medical Center concerned over drop in ER patients during the pandemic
In most circumstances, a slow emergency room would be considered a good thing — but LewisGale Medical Center’s director of emergency services is concerned. Michael Henson, emergency services director at LewisGale Medical Center, said that when comparing the daily number of patients going to the ER before the pandemic to now, the hospital has seen a 30% drop. COVID -19 patients are separated from the rest of the patients, screenings are done at entrances, staff members wear masks and face shields and patients are only allowed one visitor. Henson did mention more people were going to the LewisGale free-standing emergency room near Tanglewood than the hospital in Salem. LewisGale Medical Center isn’t the only local hospital that saw a decline.
‘Don’t risk it’: Heart attack survivor warns others to get help sooner
SALEM, Va. – Moments can mean the difference between life and death when it comes to a heart attack. “I had already convinced myself I wasn’t having a heart attack because my EKG was okay and then when they came back and said ‘Yes, you were having an active heart attack.’ I didn’t know what to think,” Spillman said. AdNow she meets with Dr. Asamoah twice a year, changed her eating habits, exercises more and recently quit smoking. He recommends living a healthier lifestyle to prevent a heart attack but if you are or think you are having a heart attack get to the hospital immediately and remember, time is muscle. AdClick here for the American Heart Association’s list of heart attack and stroke warning signs.
LewisGale Medical Center held Christmas parade for patients in Salem
SALEM, Va. – This has been a hard holiday season for many of us but even more so if you’re hospitalized. LewisGale Medical Center gave its patients something to smile about on Wednesday afternoon as a Christmas convoy circled the hospital. The parade included Salem firefighters and family members of the patients. Hospital workers said they wanted to do what they could to keep everyone optimistic. About thirty cars participated in the parade.
‘Operation SMILE’ cheering up COVID-19 patients at LewisGale Medical Center
SALEM, Va. – Words of encouragement are scribbled across cards for COVID-19 patients at LewisGale Medical Center. She wanted to lift some spirits and got the idea to write cards to the patients, calling the project “Operation SMILE,” which stands for ‘Sharing Messages of Inspiration to Lift and Encourage.’Cards designed by patients at LewisGale Medical Center wait to be delivered to patients battling COVID-19. “[The COVID-19 patients] are isolated and some of our patients are isolated. Radford thought making these cards would be a great addition to their therapy. “It’s kind of fun because the patients themselves don’t wear masks, so the staff are getting to see those smiles,” said Ellis.
LewisGale Hospital Alleghany temporarily suspending ICU services
ALLEGHANY COUTNY, Va. – LewisGale Hospital Alleghany is temporarily suspending its ICU services amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In an email that LewisGale shared with its community partners in the Alleghany Highlands on Friday, hospital leaders cite “consolidation and conservation of resources” as a strategy they’re using to combat the health care crisis. The move allows LewisGale to shift employees and personal protective equipment (PPE) to other facilities, according to the letter. All other services at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany will stay open. Hospital leaders did not say when the ICU will reopen.
WATCH: WSLS 10 co-hosting coronavirus Q&A with medical experts
WATCH THE FULL TOWN HALL HERE:The experts said the community needs to stop worrying about who does and doesn’t have it. Dr. Molly O’Dell of the Virginia Department of Health said the data now shows that the virus is around. The experts all agreed in a perfect world they’d test more people, but that’s not the one we live in right now. The hour-long event was aired live on WSLS 10, WDBJ 7, WFXR, and WSET, as well as our websites and Facebook pages. “Our mission at WSLS 10 is to keep our community safe by keeping them informed during these unprecedented times,” said WSLS 10′s Vice President and General Manager Jaimie Leon.
LewisGale Pulaski ER reopens after coronavirus scare
PULASKI, Va. – A local hospital temporarily restricted access to its ER on Tuesday morning out of an “abundance of caution." Hospital officials said they assessed a patient who had contact with another person who had traveled to a country with a high prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19). The person does not have the coronavirus and was discharged from the ER, according to LewisGale Hospital Pulaski. Read the hospital’s full statement here:"Out of an abundance of caution, LewisGale Hospital Pulaski temporarily restricted access to its emergency room this morning, while assessing a patient who had made contact with another individual who had traveled to a country with high prevalence of coronavirus. After evaluating and determining that the patient did NOT have the coronavirus, the patient was discharged, along with other individuals who were being treated in the ER during that time.
LewisGale welcomes two leap day babies
SALEM, Va. – Some local families are celebrating a very unique welcome into the world. Beckham Fowler is one of two babies born at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem on leap day. His mom, Sydney Fowler, was induced Saturday, lining up with the holiday that only comes around every four years. People with a leap day birthday, called leaplings, make up only about 0.07% of the population. Fowler said they’re still trying to decide how they’re going to celebrate his birthday.
Local doctor warns parents about deadly virus in young children, babies
ROANOKE, Va. – A virus that can look just like the common cold could actually be deadly for babies and young children. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, known as RSV, is a common virus in adults and children. In babies and toddlers, the virus can settle in the lungs and cause wheezing and difficulty breathing and can lead to other infections or pneumonia. RSV is most common October through April, so Dr. Lauren Good, a pediatric physician with LewisGale Medical Center, said everyone needs to practice good hygiene. Parents should look out for any RSV symptoms like clear nasal drainage, wheezing or a child is breathing quickly, using their belly to breathe or their ribs suck in with each breath.
Crews extinguish residential fire in Salem, one person taken to hospital for smoke inhalation
SALEM, Va. - Crews responded to a residential structure fire in Salem Tuesday night just before 8 p.m. They arrived less than five minutes after receiving the call of a fire at 6 Bowman Avenue and were able to contain the fire to the basement in less than 15 minutes, according to Salem Fire-EMS. Four people were home, and one person was taken to LewisGale Medical Center for minor smoke inhalation, according to Salem Fire-EMS. The Salem Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire and currently, there is no damage estimate. The displaced family is getting assistance from other family members, according to Salem Fire-EMS.
LewisGale opens new rooftop helipad
SALEM, Va. - LewisGale unveiled its new helipad Tuesday. The hospital's original helipad was a concrete slab built in 1972. The new rooftop helipad includes a three-story elevator shaft with access to the Emergency Department, the operating room and another floor containing storage space and additional offices on the first floor. The new rooftop helipad at LewisGale Medical Center will enable our patients to receive more expedited care since travel via ambulance can be eliminated between our existing helipad and the emergency room entrance, said Dr. Steve Pasternak, LewisGale Regional Health Systems chief of staff. Life-Guard, Wings Air Rescue, Air Evac Lifeteam, Pegasus and Centra One will also use the rooftop landing area as flights are expected to increase now that LewisGale can more easily accept Field responses.