In an effort to help our readers better understand hospitals’ perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic, “Katy Times” posed the questions below to Heath Rushing, With nearly 20 years of experience in hospital administration, Rushing now leads Memorial Hermann’s Katy and Cypress campuses as CEO and senior vice president. Rushing holds a bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology and a masters degree in Hospital Administration.

Q: What are Memorial Hermann’s biggest concerns in relation to COVID-19?

A: At Memorial Hermann, our key objective is to create the safest, most efficient environments for managing the pandemic and we are utilizing our pandemic plans to help guide us. To further prepare our System and city for the potential surge of COVID-19 patients we are also following the guidance from the CDC, the US Surgeon General, and other medical professional organizations, as well as learning from the experiences of other cities and regions across the globe. Memorial Hermann is committed to ensuring we are in a position, even in the midst of this pandemic, to continue to safely care for greater Houston, and the Katy community, just as we have done for the past 100 years.

Q: Other than complying with the various stay home orders effective in our area, how can Katy Times readers support the hospital staff during this time?

A: The Katy community has been extremely generous and outspoken with their support for Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital.  All we can ask is that the community remains vigilant and patient through these uncertain times and trusts us to take the lead in navigating this pandemic.  We also encourage our community to look for opportunities to help thank a healthcare worker. In fact, on April 10 at 7 p.m. residents from the Katy community have planned to drive to the hospital, honk their horns and flash their lights to celebrate our healthcare workers! Even small opportunities to share gratitude mean the world to our staff. Memorial Hermann is also accepting donations of personal protective equipment and disinfectant products, you can learn more about what to donate and how on our FAQ page or by emailing donations@memorialhermann.org. 

Q: When your staff are looking at statistical models and other data that help project spread of a disease like COVID-19, are they concerned that the need will exceed the health care system’s capacity?

A: We have planned and prepared for dealing with a pandemic, as we do with natural disasters. We have an emergency response plan and dedicated team that leads continuous drills throughout the year.  As we begin working through our emergency response plan, our decisions are grounded in our ability to protect the health of everyone and provide high-quality care when and where we can while, meeting the public safety standards that are helping to establish community-wide solutions.

Q: What are you and other senior hospital staff doing to keep hospital staff morale as high as possible as they work through the Novel Coronavirus crisis?

A: Our goal first and foremost is to always ensure our staff are informed as well as feel safe and cared for. We have streamlined all internal communication to meet staff needs and questions and ensured our leadership is present, visible, and approachable at all times.  Staff are also receiving support when it comes to moments of rest and relaxation, meals, and other respite activities that we have offered locally. Our physician partners even funded two weeks of activities and treats for our hospital! The Katy community’s forthright support for our hospital staff has directly contributed to the am pride our hospital staff has at the moment, and we are so thankful for the support and encouragement.

Q: We keep hearing about a shortage of PPE. What are your hospitals doing to ensure an adequate supply of PPE and can residents help with this issue in any way?

A: Memorial Hermann has an ample supply of PPE. We have worked diligently and proactively to take the necessary steps to ensure our healthcare workers continue to have the required personal protective equipment – known as PPE – to safely care for patients. Below are just a few examples of our proactive efforts:

• Memorial Hermann, along with our colleagues across Houston, made the decision to postpone elective, non-urgent surgeries and procedures. By doing this, we are conserving PPE, as well as leaving beds and other equipment available that may be needed during a potential surge of COVID-19 patients.
• Memorial Hermann is working collaboratively across all health systems to collect donations and support for additional PPE from those industries that may have an excess supply. Memorial Hermann has received donations from several employers already. These donations are helping to ensure we can maintain our steady supply of PPE.
• Memorial Hermann is taking a more creative approach and recently partnered with a local, non-profit manufacturing company, Tx/Rx to help us produce face shield masks and other PPE. This is a tremendous partnership using Houston manufacturing capacity to bolster the community’s supply of PPE.
• Memorial Hermann also started a new process for the safe re-use of N95s by using Bioquell Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor technology. This method of sterilization has been validated by numerous studies and the FDA. Memorial Hermann is following the Duke Health protocol which includes inspecting each mask before re-issuing.

 The Katy community has been extremely generous with various donations of PPE as well. We are eternally grateful for the continued support!

Q: How will Memorial Hermann be billing patients who are tested or treated for COVID-19?

A: Billing and payment will vary based on the patient, insurance provider, and various other elements.

Q: Does Memorial Hermann have a projection on when the COVID-19 pandemic will peak in the Greater Houston area? If so, what is that projection?

A: In a rapidly evolving situation such as this Memorial Hermann would not make public projections on potential cases. What is important to know is that Memorial Hermann stands ready to care for the Katy community and all the communities it serves.