Lehigh Valley Health Network

Personal protection devices donations needed

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) health emergency, personal protective equipment (PPE) is in critical supply. Face masks, a needed type of PPE, help protect health care providers and other non-clinical health care workers from droplets that may be expelled by a cough or sneeze as they interact with people seeking care.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is seeking the community’s help to sew face masks for LVHN.

Those who have a sewing machine and sewing skills are invited to make fabric face masks for the LVHN team. Each person can use and reuse the same mask after laundering it. This helps preserve the supply of professionally manufactured PPE. If you would like to sew face masks for LVHN, look for face mask sewing patterns and instructions on the web or use instructions (and watch video tutorials) at LVHN.org/facemask.

Community is invited to donate new, unused PPE

LVHN also will gladly accept new, unused PPE, such as N95 respirators, dust masks, eye protection, goggles, face shields, boxes of nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer

To donate PPE, clearly mark contents and bring the items to: 2024 Lehigh St., Allentown, Pa., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you have any questions about donations, email covid19donations@lvhn.org.

To stay up to date with information about COVID-19, visit LVHN.org/COVID19.

Some surgeries postponed

Lehigh Valley Health Network is temporarily closing some operating rooms, postponing tests and surgeries and consolidating ExpressCARE locations.

Critical procedures will be relocated to other locations within the health network.

LVHN is also postponing some previously scheduled tests and procedures.

LVHN is temporarily suspending services at three LVHN ExpressCARE locations: Bangor, Bethlehem Township and Blakeslee.

The LVHN ExpressCARE–Palmerton is now open for COVID-19 testing only. Patients are being asked to go to LVHN ExpressCARE–West End.

Refer to LVHN.org/covid19 for additional information, including FAQs for people with COVID-19, links to LVHN COVID-19 Assess and Test locations and more.

Outpatient rehab service suspended

As part of ongoing effort to ensure safety for patients, staff and community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) temporarily suspended outpatient rehabilitation services at select locations as of March 25.

LVHN will contact you if your appointment is impacted by these temporary closures. Appointments will be postponed or relocated to a location that’s most convenient for you.

Outpatient oncology patient policy changes

As part of our ongoing effort to ensure safety for patients, staff and our community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) will temporarily suspend outpatient rehabilitation services at select locations as of March 25.

LVHN will contact you if your appointment is impacted by these temporary closures. Appointments will be postponed or relocated to a location that’s most convenient for you.

Male caregiviers shave beards

Some facial hairstyles compromise the effectiveness of the N-95 face mask, preventing a tight seal around the face. An N-95 respirator and surgical mask are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer from airborne particles and from liquid contaminating the face, and are a critical piece of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Facial hair is popular right now,” said Dr. Thomas Whalen, LVHN’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “LVHN is asking colleagues on the front line who do not require an accommodation for a sincerely held religious belief to shave their facial hair.”

Whalen, who shaved his beard as a show of support, says we are all in this together and is urging other men in the community to join in and shave to support those doing their part to keep the community healthy and safe.

St. Luke’s Health Network

All workers wearing masks

St. Luke’s University Health Network has implemented a universal masking policy for its patient-facing health care workers and employees. St. Luke’s made the universal masking decision to protect its patients and staff and to help reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

“We currently have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to undertake this important safety initiative,” said Kara Mascitti, MD, St. Luke’s Medical Director of Health Care Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, “Our ability to socially distance when providing patient care is limited, so we are implementing this policy to protect both our patients and our staff.

“We remain grateful to the community for its outpouring of donated masks and other supplies – keep it coming.”

Patients at St. Luke’s facilities will not need to mask, unless they are exhibiting symptoms or have known exposure to COVID-19.

“Our community still has health care needs beyond this pandemic,” said Mascitti. “It’s important that if you need to visit one of our facilities, for COVID-19 or otherwise, that you know that you are safe in doing so.”

Virtual telehealth visits are also available for individuals looking to connect with their primary care or specialty doctor from home. To arrange for a telehealth visit, please contact your doctor. To find a doctor, call 1-866-STLUKES, option 4.

Donations sought

St. Luke’s is accepting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies from employees, patients, friends, family members and community partners. The types of PPE and supplies they are specifically interested in are: surgical masks, N95 masks, goggles, face shields, vinyl gloves, hand sanitizer, Lysol and Clorox, including wipes. They are also accepting hospital-grade cleaning supplies and disinfectant.

Additionally, they are accepting donations of fabrics for making masks, including cotton, denim, duck cloth, canvas, twill, silk or other tight woven fabric, as well as elastic or rubber bands.

Please contact Ben Guerin to arrange a pickup directly from your company. He can be reached at (610)739-9332 or Benjamin.Guerin@sluhn.org.

If you have questions, please contact 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537), option 7.

Virtual visits connect patients to care

By now, most people know what to do if they have COVID-19 symptoms. But during a quarantine, what do you do if you need to see a doctor for another concern?

St. Luke’s has the answer with its Virtual Visit option.

With St. Luke’s Virtual Visits, you can connect with your primary care doctor, a physical therapist or a specialist from the comfort and convenience of your own home.

Patients who already have a scheduled appointment or need a new appointment are encouraged to call their physician’s office to schedule the virtual visit in place of their typical in-office visit. Then it’s simply a matter of connecting via phone or computer.

How can a St. Luke’s Virtual Visit help you?

• Primary care, physical therapy and specialty care appointments

• Routine, chronic and acute health needs

• Personal care with physical distance

• Care provided on your smartphone, tablet or computer

Call your St. Luke’s doctor or Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s office to schedule your virtual visit.

If you are looking to find a provider, call 1-866-STLUKES (758-8537), option 4 or visit www.sluhn.org.