Coronavirus Media Resources

4/1/2020 - 4 pm

Nurse Practitioner and Chaplain Sings to Team Members

Patients and team members at AdventHealth Ocala get to hear the sweet sound of music each day thanks to nurse practitioner Tabitha Roberson-Newborn and chaplain Leta Kravig. The two round daily, singing in the halls and at the nurses stations to provide encouragement and spiritual care to all in need. Video download here. You can also view the duo on all AdventHealth hospital campus Facebook pages.

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3/30/2020 - 5 pm

AdventHealth tents being used to pre-screen patients

In an effort to provide additional safety for patients and team members, and help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), AdventHealth West Florida Division hospital locations are using tents to screen patients before they enter hospital emergency departments. Anyone arriving at the ER will be screened outside the hospital in one of the tents using CDC and Florida Department of Health COVID-19 screening guidelines to identify potential patients with COVID-19. If the patient is cleared, they’re able to enter the emergency department. If a person answers yes to the screening questions, they will be properly masked and moved into the ER through a separate entrance for next steps in care.

Interior and exterior tent b-roll and sound can be accessed here.

B-roll: AdventHealth North Pinellas ER and AdventHealth Palm Harbor ER

Interview: Dr. Michael Longley, Chief Medical Officer, AdventHealth North Pinellas

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3/27/2020 - 5 pm

ADVENTHEALTH OCALA TO OPEN COVID-19 UNIT

AdventHealth Ocala is putting more plans into place to care for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. This week, crews installed additional air handlers that will help create a negative pressure COVID-19 unit at the hospital to accommodate 52 additional negative pressure and isolation rooms. This brings the hospital’s total to more than 90 negative pressure and isolation rooms to help handle any potential influx of positive COVID-19 patients.

Specially trained physicians and nurses will provide critical care for patients on the unit.

Crews have been working around the clock at the hospital installing the equipment on the hospital roof and adding upgrades to the unit to be ready for use on Monday, if needed.

To date, we have not experienced any surge in patients.

B-roll of the of unit and air handler installation can be found here.

ADVENTHEALTH EXPANDS CENTRALIZED TESTING SITES INTO PINELLAS AND PASCO COUNTIES

AdventHealth has now expanded centralized testing sites into Pasco and Pinellas counties, bringing the total to five locations in the Greater Tampa Bay area for swabbing patients who meet the criteria for commercial COVID-19 testing per guidelines set by the Florida Department of Health. These centralized collection sites provide additional access for patients and make it easy for them to receive testing while limiting exposure to our practice team members and the community.

REMINDER!

• Only patients who are screened by AdventHealth physicians and meet CDC and Department of Health requirements for testing, and have a referral from an AdventHealth physician, will be sent to these locations.
• If someone meets criteria for a sample to be collected, the physician will call the centralized testing site with the referral and a team member at the site will give the patient instructions on what to do next.
• When the patient arrives at the testing site, a trained care team member in protective gear will meet the patient at their vehicle and swab for COVID-19. The samples will be sent to a commercial lab for testing.

B-roll of the testing kits can be found here.

If someone is feeling ill, they should call their doctor for guidance on what steps to take or use video visits to speak to a provider virtually. This helps limit exposure to others in the community.

AdventHealth has also established a free 24/7 hotline, 877-Virus-HQ Call877-847-8747) for the public to have their coronavirus (COVID-19) questions answered or speak to a nurse when appropriate. You can also find more information at CoronavirusResourceHub.com.

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3/24/2020 - 4:30 pm

AdventHealth joins Hillsborough County, City of Tampa and hospital systems to screen for COVID-19

As leaders in health care, it is paramount that we join forces with other hospital systems, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the Department of Health to best provide care to our communities. The drive through testing site at Raymond James Stadium will help alleviate some of the burden for our public health partners to ensure that as many people as possible can be screened and tested for COVID-19. We look forward to continuing to partner with our local agencies and other health care systems to leverage our resources and provide an even greater benefit to the health and wellness of the communities we serve.

The screening schedule at Raymond James Stadium is:

Wednesday, March 25 – Saturday March 28

8 am to 2 pm or while supplies last

Pre-Screening and Pre-Registration Are Required:

• Residents may get tested if they have been pre-screened and meet testing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health.
• Residents also must be pre-registered through the Hillsborough County Customer Service Center at Call813-272-5900. The call center is augmented with health care staff Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
• Persons who do not have a designated primary care physician or are uninsured are eligible for pre-screening and pre-registration through the call center.

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3/23/2020 - 8 am

Effective Monday, March 23, no visitors will be allowed inside AdventHealth hospitals in the West Florida Division, except for special circumstances, which includes:

• AdventHealth Carrollwood
• AdventHealth Dade City
• AdventHealth Lake Placid
• AdventHealth North Pinellas
• AdventHealth Ocala
• AdventHealth Sebring
• AdventHealth Tampa
• AdventHealth Wauchula
• AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
• AdventHealth Zephyrhills

Visitation will be continued for special circumstances, including end-of-life situations. Visitation will also be permitted if the visitor is the power of attorney or medical decisionmaker. Other exceptions include:

• Patients under the age of 18 may be accompanied by one adult visitor (parent, legally authorized person or caregiver). No additional visitors or siblings allowed.
• Obstetric patients may have one adult visitor.
• Exceptions will be made for extenuating circumstances such as imminent end-of-life or unique patient needs for support.

In all circumstances, visitors who are sick will not be permitted to enter the hospital, unless they are seeking emergency medical care. We realize this will impact patients and their families, and we will constantly evaluate the need for this policy and will modify it when we believe it is safe for visitors to return.

Read the full press release here.

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3/20/2020 - 9 am

AdventHealth Prompt Care at Sun ‘N Lake, a hospital department of AdventHealth Sebring, located at 4421 Sun ‘N Lake Blvd., Suite B, in Sebring is now offering curbside care for the community. Patients with common illnesses such as colds, sinus infections and other minor illnesses can now be seen by a physician from the convenience of their car. Patients will be screened when they arrive in the parking lot and will be designated as curbside care or traditional prompt care. If designated as curbside, a physician will provide care at the patient’s vehicle and provide treatment as needed.

Read the full press release here.

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3/18/2020 - 6 pm

Thank you for your patience as we continue to field your inquiries on the latest hospital and physician practice updates on coronavirus (COVID-19).

ELECTIVE SURGERIES – The status of elective surgeries is a fluid situation and may change as plans progress. Our current status is below:

As we continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, AdventHealth is proactively planning to ensure we have taken the necessary steps to best care for our community. As part of that preparedness, we have made recommendations to our elective surgical procedures that will help us maintain the level of care needed for our most critical patients. Effective immediately, elective surgical procedures that are not time-sensitive will be deferred, if possible, based on the clinical judgement of physician performing the procedure and the patient’s needs. We will continue to perform all emergency and urgent surgical procedures. As always, AdventHealth’s top priority is the safety of our patients, physicians, and team members, and ultimately, the safety of our community.

COVID-19 TESTING AT ADVENTHEALTH TAMPA IN-HOUSE LABORATORY

• REMINDER! Please make clear in your reporting that tests are limited and require a physician’s order. Physicians will order a test only for those who meet testing criteria as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Lab and testing B-roll/photos and sound can be found here.
• Sound with Jose Tirado, Jr., Division Director, Laboratory Services, AdventHealth West Florida Division

“We are here to support our public health agencies as they continue to test patients for COVID-19. By adding onsite testing at AdventHealth Tampa, we are able to provide our patients and physicians with expanded access to testing,” said Jose Tirado, Jr., Division Director, Laboratory Services, AdventHealth West Florida Division. “We look forward to being an added resource to our health care partners as we work together to limit the exposure of COVID-19 within our community.

The in-house lab at AdventHealth Tampa is one of three testing machines acquired by AdventHealth and distributed at locations in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do I go if I want to be tested?

If you are sick and exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), you should seek treatment with your primary care physician or Centra Care. Physicians are stringently adhering to the testing criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if a patient qualifies for a COVID-19 test. A doctor will likely test you for other illnesses, such as the flu, before ordering a COVID-19 test.*

*Please note: The public cannot come to an AdventHealth hospital, physician practice or Centra Care and order their own COVID-19 test.

Q: Should I go to the ER if I think I need a COVID-19 test?

Unless you are experiencing severe respiratory distress, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, you should not go to an ER for a COVID-19 test.

Q: What should I do if I think I might have COVID-19?

If you have travelled internationally or been on a cruise, you should self-quarantine for 14 days immediately upon returning from your travels, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms. If you develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath during those 14 days, contact your physician and disclose your travel history. Your physician will advise you of next steps. If you are experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, go to the ER.

Q: Can I get a coronavirus test at AdventHealth if I am not sick?

Currently all tests are designated for those who are exhibiting symptoms and meet the testing criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Q: I have a fever and cough. Will I be automatically tested for COVID-19?

No. Fever and cough are common symptoms for other illnesses, including the flu. Physicians will evaluate your symptoms, travel history, potential for exposure and other factors and determine if a test is appropriate. They will also test you for other viruses, including the flu.

Q: How can I be tested?

A physician must order a COVID-19 test, and will only order a test if the patient meets the testing criteria as defined by the CDC.

Q: Where can I be tested?

A physician must order a COVID-19 test. If an AdventHealth hospital physician deems it appropriate to test you for COVID-19, your physician will provide you with information on how the sample will be collected and tested.

Q: Are the results instantaneous?

No. We will be able to get results in house within 24 hours. Our results for the patients will be presumptive and shared with the patient to assist them with immediate appropriate care. The test will also be sent to the Florida Department of Health for confirmation. All reporting on the positive tests will still come from the Florida Department of Health. Positive tests are reported to the FL DOH.

Q: When would I get results from a test?

Up to seven days after administration of the test to get the complete confirmation from the Florida Department of Health.

Q: Does AdventHealth share results with the Florida Department of Health?

Yes. AdventHealth will share positive COVID-19 test results with the Florida Department of Health as required by regulation.

Q: Does AdventHealth have an unlimited number of testing supplies?

No. There is a limited number of testing supplies. In order to be good stewards of our resources and quickly identify those who have the highest likelihood of infection, we must limit tests only to those who meet the criteria as set by the CDC.

Q: I have questions about COVID-19. Whom can I call?

Call the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line at 877-VIRUSHQ or visit www.CoronavirusSignsAndSymptoms.com.

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3/17/2020 - 6 pm

COVID-19 TESTING AT ADVENTHEALTH TAMPA

AdventHealth Tampa confirms it is testing patients who meet evaluation criteria for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The hospital is one of three locations in AdventHealth across the state of Florida to acquire a specialized testing device for in-house laboratory results. This allows AdventHealth to alleviate the testing burden from public agencies, while also providing patients and physicians expanded access to the test. Because of limited supplies and resources, the test will only be facilitated with a physician’s order for patients who meet the evaluation criteria as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Unless someone is experiencing severe respiratory distress, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, they should not go to an ER for a COVID-19 test. Physicians at AHMG practices and Centra Care can take a collection sample from those patients who meet the testing criteria as set by CDC. The emergency department should be used only by those having a medical emergency, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
• AdventHealth will share positive COVID-19 test results with the Florida Department of Health as required by regulation.

If the public has general questions about COVID-19, AdventHealth has a free, 24/7 phone service for Floridians to speak with a nurse, when appropriate at 877-VIRUSHQ or visit CoronavirusSignsandSymptoms.com.

VISITOR UPDATES FOR LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL AND TRANSITIONAL CARE UNITS

Our long-term health care facility in Land o’ Lakes and our two Transitional Care Units at AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth North Pinellas are following new state guidelines that no longer allow visitors in order to protect our highest risk patients. Exceptions are limited and will be made for end-of-life situations only. We understand that connecting with family members and friends is very important, and we recommend alternative methods to connect with them such as email, text, telephone, Skype or Facebook.

ADVENTHEALTH WELLNESS CENTER CLOSURES

As we continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Wellness Center, AdventHealth Sebring Wellness Center, AdventHealth Lake Placid Wellness Center and AdventHealth Wauchula Wellness Centers will be closed through the end of the month. The safety of our wellness center visitors and the safety of our team members are a key part of our decision making as we deal with the impact of COVID-19 in the communities we serve.

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3/16/2020 - 6 pm

ADVENTHEALTH UTILIZING CENTRALIZED COVID-19 COLLECTION SITES

AdventHealth Medical Group physicians now have three access sites in the Greater Tampa Bay area for swabbing patients who meet the criteria for commercial COVID-19 testing per guidelines set by the Florida Department of Health. These centralized collection sites provide expanded access for patients and make it easy for them to receive testing while limiting exposure to our practice team members and the community.

• Only patients who are screened by AdventHealth physicians and meet CDC and Department of Health requirements for testing, and have a referral from an AdventHealth physician, will be sent to this location.
• If someone meets criteria for a sample to be collected, the physician will call the community testing site with the referral and a team member at the site will give the patient instructions on what to do next.
• When the patient arrives at the testing site, a trained care team member in protective gear will meet the patient at their vehicle and swab for COVID-19. The samples will be sent to a commercial lab for testing.

B-roll of the testing kits can be found here.

As a reminder, if someone is feeling ill, they should call their doctor for guidance on what steps to take, or use telehealth, such as the HelloWell feature on the AdventHealth app, to speak to a provider virtually. This helps limit exposure to others in the community.

AdventHealth has established a free 24/7 hotline, 877-VIRUSHQ, for Floridians to have their coronavirus (COVID-19) questions answered, or speak to a nurse when appropriate.

HOSPITAL ENTRY POINTS

As we monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our communities, AdventHealth hospitals have narrowed entry points for employees, visitors and vendors. All patients, visitors and vendors will be screened per CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines.

B-roll of entry point updates at AdventHealth Tampa and sound with Brandon Bougard, Assistant Vice President of Nursing Services at AdventHealth Tampa on entry points and preparedness can be found here.

VISITATION

• All visitors at AdventHealth locations will be screened upon entry.
• Visitors who are sick are asked not to visit patients or enter the facility unless they are seeking personal medical care.
• For specific information on visitation age restriction and hours, please call the AdventHealth facility ahead of time as they may vary.
• Patients who have appointments scheduled at an AdventHealth Medical Group location are being reminded if they have a fever, cough, or flu symptoms, if they have traveled internationally in the past two weeks, or if they have been in close proximity of anyone with a confirmed or presumed positive case of (COVID-19) to call their Primary Care Provider before visiting the office.

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3/13/2020 - 5 pm

We appreciate your partnership in helping share the facts and ease the fears of our community related to coronavirus. The latest updates from AdventHealth West Florida Division are detailed below.

ENHANCED SCREENING AND VISITATION

To ensure the safety of our patients and care team members, AdventHealth will be implementing enhanced screening measures for patients and visitors at all Hillsborough, Hardee, Highlands, Marion, Pasco, and Pinellas county hospital locations, effective today, Friday, March 13. All patients and visitors will be screened for international and cruise travel in the past 14 days, asked if they have had contact with someone with a known or suspected respiratory illness; and will be asked if they are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection such as fever, cough, sore throat. Anyone who answers yes to any of the screening questions will be unable to visit and will be provided information on where to receive appropriate care.

Patients who have appointments scheduled at an AdventHealth Medical Group location are being reminded if they have a fever, cough, or flu symptoms, if they have traveled internationally in the past two weeks, or if they have been in close proximity of anyone with a confirmed or presumed positive case of (COVID-19) to call their Primary Care Provider before visiting the office.

SURGE PLAN

As more cases of coronavirus are diagnosed across the state, AdventHealth West Florida Division campuses are preparing for a possible surge in incoming patients who require testing. It is our goal to provide the safest, most adequate care for those needing our services. At this time, AdventHealth is preparing locations outside of our hospital emergency rooms to triage patients who require care. We plan to implement plans as early as next week and will begin drills to refine our processes. Additionally, we will be identifying testing sites in the community for patients who have been evaluated by a health care provider and recommended for testing. We are working closely with our supply chain to ensure we have adequate supplies to protect our care team members, patients and visitors. We will continue to follow the protocols established by the CDC and the Department of Health.

TESTING KITS

In an effort to assist in the possible influx of patients being tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and make it easy for consumers needing care, AdventHealth Medical Group has established a centralized location for testing patients who have been referred by an AdventHealth physician. Once at the centralized location, a physician in protective gear will meet the patient at their vehicle and test for COVID-19. The samples will then be sent to the Department of Health of verification.

If you have additional questions, please contact Ashley Jeffery, Corporate Communications Manager, West Florida Division at Call803-582-9648 or at [email protected]

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3/12/2020 - 4 pm

If you were unable to attend today’s press conference with Mayor Jane Castor in the City of Tampa, please find AdventHealth b-roll and sound here.

Sound includes:

• Dr. Robin McGuinness, Senior Executive Officer, Patient Outcomes, AdventHealth West Florida Division speaking on best practices.
• Dr. Rainer Chan, Chief Medical Officer, AdventHealth Medical Group speaking on testing kits soon to roll out at AdventHealth physician practice location.

If you need additional media resources, please visit AdventHealth West Florida Division Media Resources or contact Ashley Jeffery at [email protected] or Call803-582-9648.

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3/10/2020 - 8 am

AdventHealth is launching a free phone service for Floridians who have questions about COVID-19, including the opportunity to speak with a nurse as appropriate. The AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line, 877-VIRUSHQ, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It serves as a one-stop-shop to connect Floridians with resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.

Full press release

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3/6/2020 - 3 pm

For your coverage, we want to share the following video of proper hand-washing for children with an AdventHealth pediatric patient and tips to help children understand from Michele Axford, AdventHealth Child Life Specialist. B-roll and sound can be found here.

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3/5/2020 - 3:30 pm

For your coverage, we want to share the following video of coronavirus signage, negative pressure rooms for isolation, and interview tips on staying well from Dr. Robert Rosequist, AdventHealth Physician. Hospital b-roll and sound can be found here.

Also – if you’re looking for a new angle such as coronavirus vs. flu, Dr. Robin McGuinness, Senior Executive Officer, Patient Outcomes, AdventHealth West Florida Division talks about the differences and concerns beginning at 4:04 here. According to the CDC, 26 million Americans have been diagnosed with the flu this season and 16,000 have died since flu outbreak season began.

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3/3/2020 - 4 pm

For your coverage, we want to share the following tips and updates from Dr. Timothy Hendrix, medical director of AdventHealth Centra Care.

For b-roll and sound, please click here.

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3/3/2020 - 11 am

For your coverage, we want to share the following tips and updates from Dr. Vincent Hsu, AdventHealth Infection Control Officer.

For b-roll and sound, please click here.