HVCH makes advances in combatting COVID-19
Hocking Valley Community continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with the addition of a new portable X-ray machine.
This new machine helps healthcare workers care for patients by allowing for faster turnaround times of testing of patients with COVID symptoms.
“Once the X-ray is finished we can clean it and wipe it down properly and move on to the next patient who needs tested. Whereas if we have to take the patient into the X-ray room, that room is out of commission for at least an hour while it is sanitized, which can really backlog the testing process,” said Julie Grow, Chief Financial Officer for Hocking Valley Community Hospital.
The portable X-ray also helps prevent possible COVID exposure by keeping the patient isolated in their room during testing.
“It is very important to isolate patients with COVID symptoms from staff and other patients, so this allows us to bring the technology to the patient,” Grow said.
The additional portable X-ray machine was purchased with COVID-specific funding the hospital received from CARES Act and FEMA grants.
For those who have been exposed to COVID or are having symptoms, HVCH has a drive-up testing area at the Rural Health Clinic at 1383 W. Hunter St., Logan. A provider referral and appointment are required for drive-up testing. Those with a referral may call 740-385-0202 option 2 to schedule an appointment.
The hospital has applied to be a designated COVID-19 vaccine provider. The first round of vaccines distributed in the state are designated for frontline workers and first responders. HVCH’s vaccine distribution application is awaiting approval from the Ohio Department of Health. An additional application must be approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While HVCH awaits approval, the Hocking County Health Department began distribution of its first 100 doses of the vaccine this week to healthcare personnel and first responders, including HVCH employees.