HSHS hospitals expand COVID-19 surge preparedness

As part of ongoing COVID-19 surge preparedness, HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals are proactively and temporarily consolidating a few specific services beginning Friday, April 10.

This temporary consolidation will allow our hospitals to move certain services to a single location in order to reduce foot traffic, make physical space available for a potential influx of patients, and make more economical use of resources.

Wound care, surgery, and women and infants maternity services at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital will move to HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital while this pandemic is in place. All other services at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital will remain unchanged, including the emergency department.

This decision was made based on careful consideration with input from colleagues, providers and hospital leadership. In the next several days, leadership at both hospitals will work in collaboration with OakLeaf Clinics and Prevea Health providers to ensure continuity of care services to our patients.

“The Women and Infants Centers are diligently working to ensure our patient’s safety during COVID-19 while serving our local communities during these ever-changing and trying times,” said Dr. Erica Barrette, chair of the department of obstetrics and pediatrics at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. “We are working closely with any patients who may be affected by this temporary change to ensure a smooth transition.”

This temporary consolidation will be re-evaluated as we continue to get a clear understanding of the COVID-19 impact in our communities.

HSHS is committed to returning these services to St. Joseph’s Hospital as quickly as this pandemic allows, while also recognizing that COVID-19 will change the future of the health care industry.

“We have been fortunate to be able to adjust our strategy day to day as we prepare for an influx of potential COVID-19 positive patients,” said John Wagner, president and CEO of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. “This temporary consolidation allows our hospitals to operate safely and efficiently, while protecting patients, colleagues and the communities we serve.”