Lehigh Valley Health Network

First ventilator patient released

Chris McMillan is back home in Bethlehem. He says he feels less than 50 percent of his usual self, but he’s glad to be home.

McMillan was discharged Monday, April 6 from Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Muhlenberg in Bethlehem after a difficult 15-day struggle battling COVID-19. He spent eight days in an induced coma on a ventilator, which was removed on April 2. McMillan was the first coronavirus patient at LVH-Muhlenberg to come off a ventilator.

McMillan had been sick at home for more than a week, quarantined in his basement away from his companion, Jen Sanita and their three children. His well-above-normal temperature refused to drop despite taking medication. Tests for the flu were negative and he was awaiting the results of a COVID test when on April 22 he decided to drive himself to the hospital after he began wheezing and his breathing sounded like a crackling in his chest.

Testing criteria updated

Effective immediately, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) criteria for testing individuals suspected of having coronavirus (COVID-19) have been updated and implemented at all Assess and Test Centers throughout the LVHN network.

Under the new criteria, only symptomatic people ages 65 and over, symptomatic people at a higher risk of complications and other defined symptomatic at-risk people will be tested for COVID-19.

Symptomatic people at a higher risk of complications include those with chronic lung disease and asthma, significant heart disease, immunosuppression, diabetes, morbid obesity, chronic kidney disease and chronic liver disease. In addition, higher risk people include pregnant women, those that reside in long-term care facilities, healthcare workers, and first responders.

Testing of individuals exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection and living with someone with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of COVID-19 is no longer recommended. These patients can be presumed to have COVID-19 and should be encouraged to follow the same recommendations for infected individuals.

Otherwise healthy individuals who have classic symptoms of COVID-19 infection and who are not considered high-risk based on the testing criteria will no longer be tested. They are encouraged to self-isolate (separate oneself from others) at home, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and take fever-reducing medication.

Health care providers advise seeking emergency care immediately if symptoms are getting progressively worse, you’re experiencing significant shortness of breath, have chest pain, and can’t seem to function in daily activities as you have been. In case of emergency dial 911. Indicate to the dispatcher that you have COVID-19, and, if possible, wear a mask when emergency personnel enter your house to avoid the spread of infection.

If your condition is deemed non-life-threatening, there is no need to go to the emergency room (ER) or call 911. Continue to follow the self-care instructions provided by your health care provider.

Asymptomatic patients will not be tested at any LVHN Assess and Test centers. Current tests are only capable of making the diagnosis of active COVID-19. The test does not confirm or rule out a significant exposure.

For more information on COVID-19, visit LVHN.org/covid19.

First responders show their appreciation

Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, joined by first responders from around the Lehigh Valley, participated in a parade April 10 around the Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest campus. The first responders wanted to show their appreciation for the committed physicians, nurses and staff who have dedicated themselves to caring for COVID-19 and other patients during the coronavirus outbreak. The emergency responders honked horns and sounded sirens to call attention to the efforts of these health care ‘heroes’ putting their own safety at risk and serving on the front line of the pandemic.

St. Luke’s Health Network

Patient management system begins operation

Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) has announced that St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is one of the first institutions worldwide to use Masimo SafetyNet™ to monitor in-hospital patients, as the network seeks innovative solutions to care for the surge of patients infected by COVID-19. Masimo SafetyNet is an innovative, economically scalable cloud-based patient management platform designed to help clinicians care for patients remotely in hospital settings and in non-traditional settings and circumstances.

‘Feeding the Frontline’

Employees across St. Luke’s University Health Network have been working tirelessly to keep our communities safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. To show gratitude and support their efforts, the network has launched two important initiatives to keep frontline caregivers well fed during and after their shifts on campus: free cafeteria meals and the “Feeding the Frontlines” fundraising campaign to provide them with local restaurant gift cards. Beginning in late March, employees were provided free breakfast, lunch and dinner at all St. Luke’s cafeterias. The meals consist of a variety of items from a predetermined menu and include vegetarian options as well. To make an online gift designated to the “Feeding the Frontlines” initiative, please visit sluhn.org/COVID-19Support and select “Feeding the Frontlines” from the drop-down menu. To give by check, please make payable to St. Luke’s University Health Network, indicate that you would like your gift designated to “Feeding the Frontlines,” and mail to: St. Luke’s University Health Network, Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015.