Category: News

WATERTOWN, NY – In response to changing patient volumes and recent staff furloughs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Samaritan Health has announced temporary changes to its outpatient clinics and services.

These changes expand upon a previous consolidation of Samaritan’s Family Health Centers in late March, in which clinics in Cape Vincent, Lacona and Sackets Harbor temporarily closed and patients were referred clinics in Clayton, Adams and LeRay, respectively.

Outpatient clinic changes are as follows:

• Patients of the Sackets Harbor and LeRay Family Health Centers will now be seen the Health & Wellness Plaza, 1575 Washington St., Watertown
• LeRay Urgent Care will remain open and ready to serve all patient needs, but hours will be reduced to 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm.
• Samaritan Rheumatology patients will now be seen at the Health & Wellness Plaza, 1575 Washington St., Watertown
• Samaritan Plastic Surgery patients will be seen at the General Surgery Office, 826 Washington St. in Watertown, effective April 27th.

Outpatient imaging and lab services changes are as follows:

• Clayton Lab & X-Ray hours are now Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm
• Coffeen Street Lab & X-Ray hours are now 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm
• Samaritan Health and Wellness Plaza Lab, X-Ray and Ultrasound hours will continue to be Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm
• Adams Lab & X-Ray hours are now Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm
• LeRay Lab, X-Ray and Ultrasound hours are now Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm
• North Country Orthopaedic Group Lab Station is now closed until further notice
• North Country Neurology Lab Station (Dr. Latif’s Office) is now closed until further notice

Previous changes that are still in effect:

• Cape Vincent Family Health Center patients will continue to be seen at the Clayton Family Health Center
• Lacona Family Health Center patients will continue to be seen at the Adams Family Health Center.

We also want to encourage the public to use these community-based sites, rather than the hospital, for all lab, x-ray and ultrasounds. All phone and fax numbers will remain the same.

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is now offering rapid testing for COVID-19, with results for certain patients available in approximately one hour.

Samaritan’s Laboratory began rapid testing on Thursday, April 16th, after acquiring the Cepheid GeneXpert® XVI testing instrument. This instrument enables technicians to get results from a COVID-19 test in about one hour, while other lab instruments take between four and six hours. Tests that need to be sent to a reference laboratory take longer, typically one or two days.

“We are proud to have such an advanced testing capability right here in our community,” said Tony Marra, Samaritan’s Director of Laboratory Services. “This investment greatly reduces testing turnaround time, which can give patients peace of mind and allow our providers to take action faster, if necessary.”

Due to the limited number of tests available only the following patients will receive rapid testing at this time: inpatients of the hospital or emergency department, residents of long-term care facilities, or other expedited cases, like healthcare workers. All other specimens will continue to be sent to the reference laboratory in New Jersey until more tests become available.

Samaritan reminds the community that its COVID-19 Resource Line – 315-755-3100 – is staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We encourage all community members who think they might need testing, have symptoms, or may have had contact with COVID-19 to call and let our professional team address your concerns.

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) entrance, which has been closed for renovations since late January, will reopen this Friday, April 17, at 7:00 a.m.

At the same time, the hospital’s main entrance, which served as the ED entrance during renovations, will temporarily close. Patients seeking emergency care should use the reopened ED entrance, and all non-emergency patients should enter at Main Registration. Obstetric patients should use the dedicated entrance to Samaritan’s Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children, located off of Sherman Street.

Upgrades to the ED’s waiting room intake and triage check-in areas will improve patient privacy and enhance the waiting space for the more than 48,000 patients who seek treatment at the ED in a typical year.

The renovated space includes private intake areas complete with a door for patient privacy, updated fixtures, a new security station, and improved waiting area space for patients and their families. In addition, the heating and cooling system in this area has been upgraded, adding negative pressure to help with infection prevention.

“The new space will give patients in the Emergency Department more privacy and comfort while optimizing the intake and triage processes to shorten wait times,” said Kim Thibert, Samaritan’s Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “These renovations were made with patient feedback in mind, and we are very pleased to have completed them two weeks ahead of schedule.”

Additional information for patients:
Emergency Departments are best for emergency situations. If you have a life-threatening condition, go straight to your nearest ED. Such conditions include:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or extreme chest pain
• Stroke
• Head injuries
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of vision
• Drug overdose
• Seizures
• Severe cuts or burns
• Sudden dizziness or numbness
• Severe allergic reactions

Deciding between urgent care or the ED depends on the severity of the health problem. If the condition is life-threatening, go to an ED by calling 911 or be brought in to be seen.

WATERTOWN, NY – Children’s Miracle Network of Northern New York is proud to join a nationwide partnership between Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Staples US Retail to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) for Samaritan Medical Center.

The collaboration, which will support all 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the United States and Canada, invites community members to drop off PPE donations at their local Staples retailer. Donations will then be shipped to local hospitals to help caregivers. In Watertown, the Staples store at 1283 Arsenal Street (located within the Arsenal Plaza) will be collecting donations for Samaritan.

Donations of new, unused, unopened PPE such as N95 respirator face masks, disposable face masks, face shields, protective eyewear, and isolation or surgical gowns will be collected. This protective gear is essential to ensure the safety of hospital workers who are care for the most vulnerable patients at children’s hospitals.

“Our patients need us now more than ever,” said Kristin LaClair, Children’s Miracle Network of Northern New York director. “With the support of our local Staples store serving as a collection point for PPE and donations, our healthcare workers can continue to make miracles happen for families here at Samaritan and throughout the North Country.”

“We are grateful for Staples’ help to ensure local children’s hospitals have the resources they need,” said Teri Netsel, Interim President & CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Kids can’t wait to get treatment. When you donate personal protective equipment or funds through our partnership with Staples, CMN Hospitals are able to keep caregivers and kids safe during this crisis.”

Donations can be dropped off only at participating, open Staples stores. They are also accepted online at cmnh.co/staples to help member hospitals fund their greatest needs. Please visit Staples.com for store hours.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Staples are committed to following the safety guidelines outlined by the CDC, federal, state and local authorities. Customers should follow appropriate social distancing and other public health guidelines when dropping of PPE donations. Visit https://cdc.gov/coronavirus for more information.

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is reporting its first inpatient case of COVID-19.

The patient arrived at the hospital with respiratory problems and, based on symptoms, was tested for COVID-19 and admitted to the hospital. The patient was cared for using all necessary precautions and when the test returned positive those precautions will continue, as will the patient’s mandatory isolation. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 70% of COVID-19 infections do not warrant hospitalization, individuals with certain risk factors – such as diabetes, heart, lung and kidney disease, or other underlying conditions – do need to be hospitalized. This patient has particular risk factors.

Samaritan staff treated the individual with the highest level of caution from the start of care. Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was followed, and the patient did not come in contact with any other patients at Samaritan. Hospital staff who examined the patient and continue to provide care are using all appropriate measures to avoid exposure to the virus. Meals and other items that would normally be delivered to a patient by nonclinical hospital staff are only being delivered to this patient by a small clinical team.

“Samaritan has been anticipating its first inpatient COVID-19 case for weeks and was well-prepared for this to happen,” said Andrew Short, Chief Operating Officer. “Our caregivers are following all appropriate protocols for patient and employee safety, and we thank them for responding quickly and cautiously to this patient’s situation.”

Prior to today (April 6, 2020), individuals in Jefferson County who tested positive for COVID-19 have not needed hospitalization. This individual will remain in isolation at Samaritan for the duration of their care and, when discharged, will complete mandatory isolation under supervision of the Jefferson County Public Health Service.

As is the case for all positive COVID-19 test results, the Jefferson County Public Health Service will be in contact with any individual who may have had contact with this patient publically. Samaritan’s Employee Health team will make any staff aware that had contact with the patient.

Samaritan reminds the community that its COVID-19 Resource Line – 315-755-3100 – is staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We encourage all community members who think they might need testing, have symptoms, or been around those with COVID-19 to call and let our professional team help answer your concerns.

The community has been extremely thoughtful to stay home, maintain social distancing and using proper hygiene and we need to all continue to do so.

WATERTOWN, NY – With COVID-19 causing a nationwide shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at medical facilities, a group of local manufacturing companies, educational institutions and architects are stepping up to produce face shields for healthcare workers at Samaritan.

Face shields are critically important for infection prevention, as they provide full-face protection for healthcare workers. The clear plastic shields can be produced using 3-D printers, and several local organizations have begun dedicating space, materials and talent to make them.

The collaboration was first spearheaded by Senator Patty Ritchie’s office, which saw the need arising at area hospitals and began reaching out to local businesses, schools, and individuals with access to 3-D printers. The Senator’s office successfully pulled together a long list of partners, including representatives from: Alexandria Central School District; BCA Architects & Engineers; Car-Freshner Corporation; Carthage Central School District; General Brown Central School District; Gouverneur Central School District; Indian River Central School District; Jefferson Community College, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES; Lyme Central School District; Lowville Academy and Central School; New York Air Brake; Northern Glass; Sackets Harbor Central School District; and Watertown City School District. Community members David Maxon and Chris Nichols will also use their personal 3-D printers to assist the effort.

Knowlton Technologies has also stepped forward to offer assistance in producing face masks and gowns, two other important pieces of PPE for healthcare staff. The company is currently in the design phase.

Mari L. Cecil, Senior Principal at BCA Architects & Engineers, has taken on the role of community coordinator for these efforts and is working with all representatives to ensure face shields are of consistent quality and can be used by healthcare workers. The group has worked together to share best practices and prototypes.

“We are all connected; many of us have family and friends in the healthcare profession who not only need our support but need additional protective equipment such as the face shields,” Ms. Cecil said. “Without hesitation, we came together. We are honored to be playing a role in this effort to support our local healthcare community during this critical time, and we are also blessed to be working other local businesses and educational groups.”

Ms. Cecil said the team’s goal is to produce 1,000 face shields. Samaritan is grateful to all individuals and businesses that have stepped forward and supported the local healthcare system.

“This community support – from donations being dropped off at the hospital, to the manufacturing innovation of this local group – is incredibly humbling,” said Elizabeth Fipps, Samaritan’s Vice President for the Foundation and Community Services. “We are all trying to do our part to keep our community safe, from outfitting our healthcare workers with needed safety equipment, to social distancing and using proper hygiene. All of these actions will help flatten the curve and keep the North Country safer.”

Today — March 26, 2020 — the third and fourth cases of individuals with positive COVID-19 in Jefferson County were confirmed by LabCorp laboratory. The individuals are Jefferson County residents, and are now in mandatory isolation by the Jefferson County Public Health Service. To date, there are four (4) confirmed positive cases; and 130 negative in Jefferson County.

One of the positive COVID-19 patients confirmed today is a Samaritan Medical Center direct patient care employee. The staff member did work on Monday, March 23, and was screened before their shift with no symptoms present. While working they wore a mask at all times, since they had been in contact with another hospital patient who was under isolation precautions. This staff member did have contact with patients and staff members during their shift. Their symptoms began on March 25 and they were tested then. It is our understanding this staff member recently traveled to Long Island.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service is determining who the individual was in contact with to establish daily monitoring protocols. Staff at Samaritan Medical Center that were in contact with this employee will be screened every 12 hours and masked as a precautionary measure to help keep patients and other staff members healthy. Any current hospital inpatient that was cared for by the employee will be put under precautionary isolation measures.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service will perform a comprehensive case investigation of any exposed patient that has been discharged from the hospital, any staff members that may have been exposed, and any other community contacts of the positive individual, and initiate the appropriate type of quarantine per individual.

Samaritan Medical Center is well-prepared to keep patients and staff safe by following these measures and helping to stop the spread of the disease.

Under current New York State Department of Health COVID-19 testing guidance, health care providers are now able to conduct COVID-19 testing without authorization from county health departments. The Jefferson County Public Health Service is working closely with providers to manage patients tested and determine which patients require precautionary quarantine until test results are confirmed. Currently, there are 125 individuals in Jefferson County under precautionary quarantine.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service continues to work closely with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about testing protocols related to disease transmission. Travel history is still a consideration, along with presentation of specific symptoms.

To date, there are 37,258 positive COVID-19 cases in New York State, with the vast majority of cases in New York City. Local health departments are actively monitoring suspected and positive cases throughout New York State, and it is anticipated that the numbers of people requiring testing and monitoring will continue and grow.

All county health departments are in daily communication with NYSDOH communicable disease leadership to track and monitor exposure potential and possible disease transmission and occurrence in New York State.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service, working with the NYSDOH and the CDC continues to advise individuals to do their part to stop the spread of germs:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Practice social distance
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Stay home if you’re sick

The Jefferson County Public Health Service will continue to update the public regarding disease risk and status.

Are you getting ready to deliver your baby at Samaritan?

Among all the precautionary measures in place to protect our patients and staff from COVID-19, here are some things you should know about delivering your baby:

• Please use Samaritan’s Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children entrance for all maternity-related visits.
• You will be screened and have your temperature taken before you enter the unit.
• We cannot allow any of your children on the unit during these restrictive visitor procedures.
• You are only able to bring one (1) support person, age 18 or older, with you for your delivery, and this person must stay in the room with you at all times. Only patients determined to be in labor will be able to have their support person with them. Until a patient is deemed to be in labor, the support person will be asked to wait outside the facility. A dedicated parking lot for maternity patients and their support person is located on the corner of Sherman and Pratt Streets.
• If you are pregnant, but having a non-obstetrics emergency, please use the Emergency Department entrance so they can care for you.

We look forward to helping you make this time a special one for your family and the safest possible experience for you and your newborn.