SVMHS gives look inside coronavirus triage tent, alternate care site
Richard GreenAnother inside look at the triage tent where patients who may have COVID-19 are screened. This happens if they show symptoms or have been exposed to someone who may have the disease.
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System has released photos giving an inside look into its triage tent and alternate care site used for patients who may have coronavirus, or COVID-19.
To protect patient privacy, none of them are pictured.
As of April 5, there were 63 COVID-19 cases in Monterey County. Fifteen of them have been hospitalized and two died, but 12 people have recovered so far.
SVMHS set up its triage tent outside the entrance to its Emergency Room on March 12 in response to the pandemic.
The triage tent outside the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital System's Emergency Room. It is the first stop for patients being screened for COVID-19. There health care providers will determine if the patient should be sent to the alternate care site for more evaluation.This is an inside look at SVMHS's alternate care site/isolation tent. The hospital said it has lab capabilities and is made up of three tents with separated air pressure units. They are connected to allow for examination and specimen gathering. SVMHS said each tent can hold ten patient beds, so 30 total.Pictured here is Jennifer Ruiz, RN, an ER nurse working in an isolation tent with patients who may have COVID-19. SVMHS said everyone in there wears full personal protective equipment and there is a blower to pass contaminated air through a HEPA filter. It said the filter removes the contaminant and gives purified air.The alternate care site, seen from above, is made up of three 19' by 35' tents with two 8x8 connectors, according to SVMHS. It is set up near the ER entrance to screen, examine and get lab swabs from patients who may have COVID-19.This photo was taken inside the triage tent. It was first set up on March 12, and SVMHS calls it the first line of defence to protect patients and staff from any patients who may have COVID-19.Pictured is Inventory Control Coordinator Tracy da Silva at SVMHS's materials management warehouse.This is some of the N95 mask supply stored at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.Another inside look at the triage tent where patients who may have COVID-19 are screened. This happens if they show symptoms or have been exposed to someone who may have the disease.
