TeleMed
TeleMed is an interactive portal that provides users access to speak with a healthcare representative at your local hospital or clinic through the use of electronic communications. This allows hospital staff to virtually treat multiple patients at a time by freeing up the time needed for an in-person visit. TeleMed offers the ability for isolated patients to receive healthcare services remotely prior to seeking an in-person appointment.
Vaccination Clinic Coming to Renovo in February
Updated 1/28/2022
More information coming soon
UPDATED: Friday, January 21, 2022
We have worked diligently to maintain rapid COVID-19 testing supplies at the facility for nursing home residents, facility staff, hospital and ER patients, and the community. Testing supplies are now short in supply, and we are unable to maintain a supply sufficient to continue rapid testing, so we have put controls in place to preserve the small supply we have remaining.
We will continue testing residents and staff, but testing will be limited to twice per week. Testing for ER patients will be limited to testing deemed medically necessary by the physician.
Limited outpatient testing will continue, but that testing will be sent out to our reference lab for PCR testing; results can take 24 hour or longer and is out of our control.
Testing will also be limited to patients who have COVID-19 symptoms for at least 72 hours. We might be unable to do testing for return to work, return to school, and travel: Many insurances do not cover this testing.
We encourage home testing when available. A positive home test should be considered accurate.
You can order four COVID-19 test kits per residential address at https://COVIDtests.gov. This site is currently active and tests are expected to ship before the end of the month.
Effective January 15, 2022, private insurers are required to provide or pay for eight (8) COVID-19 tests per insured individual per month. Tests could be available at in-network pharmacies at no cost or, you can purchase tests and file for reimbursement. Check with your insurer for specific information.
If you are positive or presumed positive per CDC and PA DOH guidance, guidelines for quarantine and isolation are updated frequently; for the most up to date information please visit https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html or https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Fact-Sheets.aspx for the most up to date information.
We will keep you informed as the availability or rapid testing supplies changes.
UPDATED: Friday, January 23, 2021
Effective 3:00 pm on Friday, January 22, 2021 our facility is officially COVID-19 free.
We have gone fourteen (14) days with no new resident or staff positives. All staff and residents were tested Thursday and again Friday to confirm everyone in the building is negative.
The past 27 days have been very difficult for all of us; we’ve lost four residents, one employee, and have seen tragic family losses with other employees.
It is important, though, to recognize that in spite of the challenges we faced, we have been very fortunate not to have had greater losses. I believe there are two reasons. First, our residents received excellent care even with significant staffing challenges. Several of the nursing staff worked absurd hours to make sure care was given. Maintenance worked to make sure all needs were met and that everyone had the supplies they needed. Dietary staff helped to implement new policies to keep the building safe. Purchasing worked to find new sources for PPE and other supplies. ER staff helped with resident care. The lab processed hundreds of COVID tests. Clinic staff worked in the nursing home and coordinated outpatient testing. Office staff provided support to clinical staff. Therapy staff worked in both “red” and “green” zones assisting with resident care. If you take a step back and look, everyone worked together toward a common goal; making sure our residents received proper care. I want to thank everyone who faced the threat of COVID every day, everyone who worked extra hours to make sure good care was provided, and everyone who stepped out of their comfort zone to do whatever was needed.
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Bucktail Medical Center Nursing Facility is on day 11 with no new positive residents and staff. Our goal is to be 14 days with no new resident or staff positives so we can return to “normal”. On December 29, 2020, the date of our first positives, we moved from testing all residents and staff twice weekly to testing all negative residents and staff daily. We will continue daily testing at least until we achieve 14 consecutive days with no new positives.
After consulting with infectious disease specialists, BMC was able to acquire 20 doses of Bamlanivimab, monoclonal antibodies developed by Eli Lilly. These antibodies are cloned in a laboratory from human SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) antibodies, but they do not contain any genetic material, that can be a source of negative reactions. Treatment consists of one dose administered by IV. We have been able to secure additional five doses.
These antibodies provide near immediate defense against COVID-19. Of 24 residents infected with COVID-19, 17 were clinically eligible for and received the treatment as early as January 01, 2021. It is not known if monoclonal antibodies provide long term immunity, so it is recommended that these residents be vaccinated 90 days after receiving the treatment.
Negative residents and many negative staff received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on January 06, 2021. Second doses will be administered on January 27, 2021. This will also be a second opportunity for initial vaccination. Bucktail, like Susque-View, partnered with CVS Pharmacy for management and administration of the vaccines.
Of the 24 infected residents, three have died due to COVID-19 related complications. In addition to the residents, we had 17 positive staff. Most have returned to work after self-isolation. Two were hospitalized, one has died.
In the early stages of the outbreak, BMC did receive staffing assistance from the National Guard. They provided one licensed nurse, seven medics, and seven “general purpose” workers. The nurse and medics helped staff our “red zone” while the general purpose workers assisted with materials management, inventory, housekeeping, and maintenance. Guard members worked at the facility for five days. We are extremely grateful for the assistance they provided, helping us manage the initial outbreak. We also contacted our Regional Congregate Care Assistance Team (RCAT), a program where Geisinger, at the time, contracted with the state to offer assistance during an outbreak. Two private staffing agencies are working with RCAT and were able to provide some additional staffing.
Employees have been remarkable. Many therapy and administrative staff have transitioned from their regular duties to providing assistance for resident care. Asymptomatic positive staff have come to work in the “red zone”. Some nurses and other staff have worked around the clock: there is a cot in the Director of Nursing’s (DON’s) office. Staffing different zones continues to be challenging. I am optimistic we can reach 14 days with no new infections this Friday.
UPDATED: Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Bucktail Medical Center nursing home resident Juliann Thorson was the first to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. All eligible resident were vaccinated, followed by eligible employees. The website for the Department of Health and Human Services explains one of “… Operation Warp Speed (OWS) goals, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DoD ) today announced agreements with CVS and Walgreens to provide and administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) nationwide with no out-of-pocket costs. Protecting especially vulnerable Americans has been a critical part of the Trump Administration’s work to combat COVID-19, and LTCF residents may be part of the prioritized groups for initial COVID-19 vaccination efforts until there are enough doses available for every American who wishes to be vaccinated.”
The site further explains “The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program provides complete management of the COVID-19 vaccination process. This means LTCF residents and staff across the country will be able to safely and efficiently get vaccinated once vaccines are available and recommended for them, if they have not been previously vaccinated. It will also minimize the burden on LTCF sites and jurisdictional health departments of vaccine handling, administration, and fulfilling reporting requirements.”
The program is:
- Free of charge to facilities.
- Available for residents in all long-term care settings, including skilled nursing facilities (SNF), nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care homes, and adult family homes.
- Available to all remaining LTCF staff members who have not been previously vaccinated for COVID-19 (e.g., through satellite, temporary, or off-site clinics).
- Available in most rural areas that may not have an easily accessible pharmacy.
HHS is using multiple authorities to ensure appropriate reimbursement for these services and that no American being vaccinated for COVID-19 will have to pay out-of-pocket.
CVS and Walgreens will schedule and coordinate on-site clinic date(s) directly with each facility. It is anticipated that three total visits over approximately two months are likely to be needed to administer both doses of vaccine (if indicated) to residents and staff. The pharmacies will also:
- Receive and manage vaccines and associated supplies (e.g., syringes, needles, and personal protective equipment).
- Ensure cold chain management for vaccine.
- Provide on-site administration of vaccine.
- Report required vaccination data (including who was vaccinated, with what vaccine, and where) to the state, local, or territorial, and federal public health authorities within 72 hours of administering each dose.
- Adhere to all applicable Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for COVID-19 testing for LTCF staff.
The second dose for the vaccines given today and a second opportunity for first doses at BMC is scheduled for January 27, 2021.
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 5, 2021
The below is a press release sent to The Record Newspaper:
The Bucktail Medical Center is dealing with a recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases among residents and staff members and outside help has been brought in.
BMC administrator Tim Reeves, in a Tuesday update said Bucktail Medical Center now has 22 COVID-19 positive residents and a cumulative total of 14 staff; all but three were infected during a recent outbreak, which, Reeves said, moved through the facility in a matter of hours. All infected residents are currently receiving care in the “red” zone in the facility. The “red”, “yellow”, and “green” zones are in separate hallways.
The BMC administrator said additional staffing help has been provided: “Many employees from every department in the hospital are working with residents in all zones to help clinical staff provide care. With several staff ill and unable to work, BMC is using agency staff we have contracted with and agency staff that the Department of Health has secured. We are also receiving staffing assistance from the US Army National Guard. They are supporting us with one licensed nurse, several medics, and several “general purpose” workers to assist with housekeeping, maintenance, and other duties. They will be in place for five days while our own staff recover and are able to return to work.”
As for treatment, Reeves said BMC was able to secure a supply of bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody for COVID-19 developed by Eli Lilly, sufficient to treat each positive resident who wanted the treatment. He said monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system’s attack on cells. Monoclonal antibodies are produced from antibodies the human body produces. The cloned antibodies are administered to the patient through an IV. One particular advantage of monoclonal antibodies is that they do not carry donor specific material like blood type or DNA, minimizing the risk of a negative reaction that can occur with natural antibodies.
Reeves said, “We have had one COVID-19 related death. All other residents are stable at this time and range from asymptomatic to requiring oxygen and IV fluids. After 14 days in the “red” zone, patients who remain asymptomatic or who have recovered will be moved to the “green” zone; these transfers could begin as early as Tuesday Jan. 12. He said Tuesday was the third consecutive day with no new positive residents.
Staff and residents who are negative will be able to receive the vaccine on Wednesday of this week. A second vaccination date is scheduled for Jan. 27, for both the second dose and for additional first doses.
And Reeves offered kind words to those involved in dealing with the pandemic at the medical center: “It is important to understand that many medical center employees have gone well above and far beyond their routine duties. Many are working 16 or more hours per day. Some are on their ninth consecutive day. Non-clinical staff are helping where they can both to provide care or to support the clinical staff. In spite of the fatigue, and in the face of their own potential exposure, they come to work when ever and where ever they are needed. They are all tired and deserving of our sincere thanks and appreciation.”
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 5, 2021
UPDATED: Friday, January 1, 2021
We have a sufficient supply of tests to continue aggressive testing for several months. We also have an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
So far we do not have any critical patients and most are not showing symptoms; there are four residents that are symptomatic.
We have divided the facility into three areas; red for actively positive, yellow for having an exposure but are not positive, and green for residents that are negative with no known exposure. Each area is an hallway with doors on both ends, to help eliminate cross contamination. Staff in the red area do not cross into the yellow or green areas; likewise, staff in the green and yellow areas do not cross into the red area.
We have consulted with infectious disease experts in the state to design the treatment plan we have put into place, which includes some of the most current recommendations and medications.
Many of the staff are doing double and triple duty to ensure our residents have the best possible care. Staffing is our biggest current challenge.
Both residents and staff of the medical center are scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on January 6, 2021. We have enough to vaccinate all residents and staff who want vaccinated.
I will try to update the web page at least weekly.
UPDATED: Monday, December 28, 2020
As numbers continue to climb throughout the county and the region, we are seeing more infections locally and in our staff. We will continue testing aggressively with rapid antigen tests. We have a supply of rapid antigen tests to test staff aggressively for the next few months. We will also test all residents when there has been a possible exposure.
The vaccine for both residents and staff is still scheduled for January 06, 2021 and January 27, 2021. Twice daily staff meetings Monday through Friday have resumed.
If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, testing, the vaccines, or any other pandemic concerns, please feel free to submit your questions by calling 570.923.1000. We will answer your questions during our next recorded meeting.
COVID-19 Status
Currently positive residents 0
Previously positive residents 0
Currently positive staff 3
Previously positive staff 6 – Fully recovered
UPDATED: Tuesday, December 22, 2020
2020 has been a year of challenges and sacrifices; with the holidays are upon us, we struggle with safety versus traditions. It is possible to keep some of our traditions while maintaining safety for ourselves, our families, and our community. First, let’s consider the three most effective steps anyone can take to limit the spread of the pandemic, and yes, I probably get as tired of saying it as you do of hearing it, but washing your hands with soap and water every time you pass a sink, wearing a mask when not in your home, and social distancing do work and should not be a political issue.
I challenge you to take this one step further. Rather than engaging in every holiday tradition, focus on the two or three traditions that are most important to you and develop a way to celebrate those traditions safely. That might mean wearing a mask indoors, or using a second table for your meal so that everyone is a little further apart. It might mean limiting the number of guests or limiting the number of people you visit.
There could be an opportunity in all of this to re-discover the true meaning of Christmas (and to redefine what is important as a society; I’ll keep that for another day). Focus on what is truly important to you. If you go to an event and it looks like participants are not following the guidance, don’t stay. If you don’t need to go, don’t go. If you do go, please be safe.
Vaccines for residents and staff will begin at BMC on January 06, 2021. The vaccine will be available to every resident and everyone who works at the facility. There will be no out of pocket expense. The COVID-19 vaccine is not required but is it strongly encouraged for all employees.
Fit testing for N95 masks will begin on December 30, 2020. Some staff will also be trained to do fit testing.
COVID-19 Status
Currently positive residents 0
Previously positive residents 0
Currently positive staff 0
Previously positive staff 5 – Fully recovered
UPDATED: Monday, December 14, 2020
Because the positivity rate for Clinton County has been greater than 10% for the past 14 days, we began testing all of our staff two times each week. As the number in our local communities continue to increase, it is important to remember four important steps everyone can take to limit the spread of COVID-19
- Wear a face mask in public
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
- Practice social distancing
- If you find yourself in a situation where people are not behaving responsibly, leave.
BMC has made arrangements through OmniCare Pharmacy in Williamsport, our institutional pharmacy, to store and administer our vaccines once they arrive. We do not have a date for delivery of the vaccine yet. The vaccine will be available to, though not required for, all medical center residents and staff at no charge.
Currently positive residents: 0
Previously positive residents: 0
Currently positive staff: 1 – Self-isolating
Previously positive staff: 3 – Fully recovered
UPDATED: Monday, December 7, 2020
Positivity rates continue to increase significantly. As of today, we are limited in the number of rapid antigen tests we can order each week, as a result, we will be temporarily restricting the number of rapid antigen tests we perform each week while we see if the limit on the number of tests continues. We will continue to offer the send-out PCR test as long as the transport media is available.
If the positivity rate for Clinton County remains over 10% this week, guidance from the PA DOH and CMS is to increase staff testing to twice each week.
Here are the updated numbers:
Currently positive residents: 0
Previously positive resident: 0
Currently positive staff: 0 – Self-isolating
Previously positive staff: 3 – Fully recovered
UPDATED: Monday, November 30, 2020
We continue to test every resident and staff person weekly. Here are the updated numbers.
Currently positive residents: 0
Previously positive resident: 0
Currently positive staff: 2 – Self-isolating
Previously positive staff: 1 – Fully recovered
UPDATED: Monday, November 23, 2020
Resident’s families’ were contacted Monday November 16, 2020 about a possible exposure. All residents were tested on Monday. Families were informed on Tuesday November 17, 2020 that all resident tests were negative. All residents will be retested on Monday November 23, 2020.
We began testing staff on Wednesday November 18, 2020. The first round of staff testing will be completed on Wednesday November 25, 2020. A second round of staff testing will be completed on Wednesday December 02, 2020.
Resident and staff testing moving forward will be guided by the Clinton County positivity rate, as published and updated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the results of in-house testing, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).
On Sunday, November 15, 2020 we began issuing N95 masks to all employees. All employees received two (2) masks and labeled them. Masks are worn for one (1) day and, if still in good condition, sanitized with a special UV light designed to disinfect against COVID-19 with 99.9% effectiveness, using guidelines recommended by the CDC and PA DOH. Masks that show signs of wear are replaced with new masks. Funds to purchase this equipment were obtained from Clinton County’s CARES Act funds.
Under current and expected conditions we have adequate supplies of both COVID-19 test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Masks are required for everyone entering the facility.
Currently positive residents: 0
Previously positive resident: 0
Currently positive staff: 1 – Quarantined
Previously positive staff: 1 – Fully recovered
UPDATED: Monday, March 23, 2020
As we brace for Coronavirus (COVID-19) to hit our area, Bucktail Medical Center (BMC) has been working hard to protect our residents, patients, and staff while planning to provide care for our community. COVID-19 is a rare type of virus. While it is not a particularly hardy virus, people have not developed any immunity because of its origin. People like the residents of our nursing home, aged 65 and over and people with chronic medical conditions, are the most vulnerable.
We are preparing to provide care to the community if the need arises. BMC, however, faces some challenges other hospitals don’t encounter; most notably having a nursing home in the same facility with no physical separation. While community members will come to the hospital for care if they are symptomatic, we have vulnerable residents just down the hall.
What we are doing to protect our nursing home residents:
- Visits to nursing home residents and hospital patients was limited to immediate family on Thursday March 12, 2020.
- All visits to nursing home residents and hospital patients were suspended until further notice effective Saturday March 14, 2020
- All traffic in and out of the hospital for the Emergency Room (ER), Lab, X-Ray, and nursing home is through the ER entrance. This applies to all employees and all patients.
- Lab patients are allowed to go to the lab only.
- X-Ray patients are allowed in X-Ray and the ER waiting area only.
- Outpatient therapy patients are to enter through the rear entrance by the administrator’s office. Outpatient therapy patients can not go past the double wooden doors by the business office.
- ER patients are allowed in the ER and the ER waiting area only, patients will be screened outside before entering the building.
- The screening for anyone entering the facility, including ER patients, currently includes the following:
- Temperature of less than 100.4
- Have you traveled outside of the United States (US) in the last 30 days
- Do you live with or have you associated with anyone who has traveled outside of the US in the last 30 days
- Have you associated with anyone who tested positive for, is presumed positive for, or is a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19?
- Have you traveled to any county in Pennsylvania positive for COVID-19?
- Have you traveled to any area of the US positive for COVID-19?
- No one will be denied treatment. Any patient believed to have been at risk for exposure will be isolated from other patients.
- We are holding resident and patient mail for one day to avoid possible contamination.
- No delivery personnel are allowed inside the facility; deliveries are left outside and brought inside by BMC staff.
- Non-essential clinical personnel are restricted from the facility.
- All non-essential appointments and procedures have been cancelled.
- Staff who work other places must shower and change clothes after working someplace else and coming to work at BMC. I would recommend if you are concerned you may have encountered a patient that could be positive, a shower and clean change of clothing is the best prevention.
What we are doing to provide emergent and ongoing care when the virus arrives:
- We have assessed our clinical and technological capabilities and determined what level of care we can safely accommodate at the facility.
- While we do not expect a large influx of patients, we are prepared in case we do. We have:
- Set up a triage tent in the Special Services Building so that we can assess a large number of people without them entering the hospital. This area can also be used to house patients for temporary treatment.
- Assessed our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies. We are tracking usage of the supplies and are constantly aware of what we have available.
- Assembled head to toe protective “suits” which are available in the ER, Clinic, Lab, X-Ray, and the clinic so our staff can be properly protected.
- Provided local first responder stations with four suits each.
- We are:
- Exploring all options to replenish/sanitize PPE supplies.
- Monitoring information from the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health constantly so we have the most up to date information.
- Coordinating with local first responders so they understand what we have done to prepare and so that we can develop a community wide response plan.
- Meeting with BMC staff twice daily to keep everyone up to date.
What can you do to help?
- Understand that COVID-19 is legitimate and concerning.
- Understand that COVID-19 has the potential to be devastating.
- Recognize that the restrictions and planning we have put in place are the result of reliable information and careful planning by our clinical and administrative team, designed to provide the safest environment for our residents, patients, staff, and community.
- Get your information regularly from reliable sources like the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. News agencies and social media may have the best of intentions to provide accurate information, however, it is best to get your information directly from the source.
What can you do to protect yourself, family, and friends?
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
- Chemical structure of a virus and how it responds to soap.
- Understand how COVID-19 spreads:
- On paper and similar material COVID-19 can remain viable for up to 24 hours
- On solid, non-porous materials, like metal, COVID-19 can remain viable for up to 72 hours
- Person to person transmission occurs when:
- You are in close proximity of an infected person.
- You touch a surface an infected person touched before the virus dies, then you touch your face; the virus enters through mucus membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
- Comply with Social Distancing recommendations:
- Stay at home. Work remotely if possible.
- Do not meet in groups larger than 10 people.
- When meeting in any group, maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet:
- Stand and hold both arms straight out. Finger tips to finger tips is about 5 ½ feet for most people.
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
- Maintain your own health.
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
- Know the symptoms. If you experience the symptoms below, call your doctor or ER BEFORE you come to the office or the hospital to protect yourself and other patients. Care providers are prepared to address many issues without a visit. The symptoms are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
- If you experience any of the Emergency Warning Signs, listed below, seek medical attention immediately.
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion that is new
- The inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
- Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
