Spectrum Health Pennock Continues Emergency Preparedness Planning with Training, Triage Incoming Patients For COVID-19 Symptoms

April 9, 2020

HASTINGS, Mich., April 8, 2020 – Spectrum Health Pennock recently erected a triage tent as an extension of the emergency department to screen and treat patients with symptoms indicative of COVID-19. The tent will be put into use if Pennock sees a large number of patients with symptoms.

The screening tent, next to the Spectrum Health Pennock’s Medical Arts Building, has been open on a few occasions for training purposes. “This provided our physicians, nurses and patient access team the opportunity to become familiar with the flow in a new environment before patient volumes rise,” stated Bernie Jore, chief operating officer, Spectrum Health Pennock.

If you have symptoms such as fever and cough, with or without o shortness of breath, you can use an automated screener at www.spectrumhealth.org/covid19 or call 833.559.0659 for a phone screening. Please note, a screening is required to determine if a COVID-19 test is necessary.

Jore expressed, “Patients should be assessed by, and if appropriate, referred to the tent through the free COVID-19 screening hotline.” In accordance with the CDC, Spectrum Health recommends those with mild COVID-19 symptoms stay home and self-quarantine.

Spectrum Health Pennock is working diligently now, while COVID-19 volumes are low in Barry County, to finalize emergency preparedness plans related to a potential future surge in patient volumes.

Spectrum Health Pennock president Angela Ditmar noted, “Pennock is working as part of the greater Spectrum Health System and with other community resources, including our local health department, to ensure we are as prepared as possible to care for COVID-19 patients. This includes expanding our capacity for ICU beds. Due to the fluidity of the pandemic, we want to make sure we have the most appropriate plan to address our potential community needs.”

For more information about COVID-19, including information on symptoms and prevention, visit www.spectrumhealth.org/covid19.

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Meredith Schrotenboer
Lead Communications Specialist
Phone: 616.283.2112
Email: meredith.schrotenboer@corewellhealth.org