Continued from Page 12
“Th e phrase ‘elective surgeries’ does
not mean unimportant or unnecessary
surgeries,” she said. “I am acutely
aware that people may be suff ering and
experiencing a negative impact on the
quality of their lives because of the delay.”
Now that surgeries have resumed, as of
June 1, the hospital system is addressing
the backlog of surgeries by allocating
additional operating rooms so that patients
are seen to in a timely manner.
While she has no specifi c statistics
to report, Ogden said she assumes there
are people who have delayed screenings
or routine appointments out of a fear
of exposure. Early on in the pandemic,
emergency room visits were lower in
number, but the patient acuity was higher.
Th is trend was seen nationwide. However,
now that people are adjusting to life in a
pandemic, the numbers have begun to a
return to previous volumes. Ogden assures
us that patients should not be discouraged
about seeking medical help, as Samaritan’s
hospitals and clinics are following the
strictest infection prevention practices;
such as staggered appointments, six-
foot social distancing guidelines, frequent
cleaning and use of personal protective
equipment.
It’s not just physical health practices
that are being impacted. In mental health
support groups there have been an uptick
in people discouraged about the option to
participate in teleconference appointments
only. For many who seek counseling
and therapy, the comfort found in the
“safe space” of their doctor’s offi ce has
been compromised as they try to fi nd a
way to confi de without family members
overhearing their appointment in close
quarters. Ogden confi rms that there have
been increased numbers of patients being
seen for anxiety and depression, and with
massive budget cuts being contemplated
in the wake of pandemic fallout, the issues
are only going to compound. Samaritan
is working hard to continue to support
long-term plans for behavioral and mental
health patients and have brought two
additional psychologists on board to work
in the Lincoln City and Depoe Bay/Toledo
areas.
It’s not only those who have been at
home since March that are struggling with
pandemic fatigue. Health care workers
are human and their responses to the
constant state of high alert have caused
their emotions to run a gamut. However,
Samaritan says its staff has continued to
step up and off er their best. Th ey’re all
hoping that, despite the discouraging
news with the spike in cases in Lincoln
health.mil
County, the eff ort that continues to
be implemented through additional
testing, contact tracing and public service
announcements they will be able to contain
any surge.
Ogden said staff have spent weeks
“training and planning for a patient surge
that we continue to hope will not happen.”
Alongside all of the physical and mental
health aspects is a pressing need. Th e
American Red Cross, supplier of blood
products, has been unable to hold their
typical large drives, and is struggling with
donor diffi culties as the COVID-19 issue
continues. While our county currently has
an adequate supply of blood inventory,
the situation continues to be monitored
as the nation faces an urgent need for
blood donors. As medical procedures are
ramping back up, the use of blood product
is increasing, and the Red Cross is asking
that anyone who can safely donate do so
by scheduling an appointment on their
website.
•••
In addition to being professional
photographers, Krista Melone and Rachel
Baird are co-owners of Tah•Lume Curiosities
& Gifts, which off ers online commerce at
www.tahlume.com.
ABOVE: Spinal
surgeons at work.
LEFT: An unnamed
patient takes a slow
walk after spine and
nerve surgery in the
middle of a pandemic.
oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • June 19, 2020 • 13