FARMINGTON, MAINE–Medical leaders at Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) are working closely with the staff of the Maine Centers for Disease control to limit the spread of COVID-19 after 19 hospital care team members tested positive for the virus. Eleven staff have recovered.
Those with active cases are in self-quarantine. It is believed that the cases are an indication that the coronavirus has rooted itself in Franklin County, which up until now has had fewer cases than other, harder-hit parts of Maine. The CDC has classified the cases as an outbreak, however they are unlikely to be isolated or confined to the hospital as the coronavirus is increasingly showing up in Maine’s rural areas.
Working with the CDC, the hospital is testing staff who have been potentially exposed to the virus. The positive cases are not thought to pose a significant risk to patients as hospital staff has been consistent in the use of protective equipment shown to minimize transmission.
On Tuesday, FMH underwent an unannounced Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) focused infection control survey by a team of surveyors who toured inpatient and outpatient units and Franklin Health practices.
“The survey was focused on our Covid-19 policies and procedures, staff education and overall infection prevention techniques which was accomplished through document review, and observation and staff interviews throughout the day,” said Barbara Sergio, BSN, MSHA, CPHQ, FMH senior director of quality and patient safety. “I am pleased to say that Franklin had zero deficiencies during this survey, which for an unannounced survey is a great accomplishment, especially in these trying times.”
Franklin Memorial and other organizations in the MaineHealth system have extensive protocols in place to keep patients safe, including universal masking in all facilities, frequent cleaning and designated areas for treating those who may be infected with COVID-19.
“We are all going to have to step up our vigilance if we want to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Trampas Hutches, president of Franklin Memorial Hospital. “As the holidays approach, I also urge caution about holding gatherings of friends and extended family outside your household circle. It is more important than ever that everyone avoids gatherings, stays six feet apart from others, wears a face covering in public settings, and washes hands frequently.”
About Franklin Memorial Hospital:
Franklin Memorial Hospital is a 70-bed general hospital whose mission is to provide high quality, cost-effective, patient-centered health care to residents and visitors of West Central Maine. The hospital has 10 medical and surgical practices and is fully qualified and accredited to handle a broad range of medical, surgical, pediatric, women’s care, and diagnostic services. Franklin Memorial Hospital is part of the MaineHealth family, a not-for-profit integrated health system.
About MaineHealth:
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,700 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With close to 22,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.
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