Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

By Andy Gardner

St. Regis Mohawk Health Services has adequate personal protective equipment for the next several weeks, their director says.

Meanwhile, community members need to call the office and speak with a provider before coming down for any treatment.

“We’re in good shape right now. We have been getting supplies through the Indian Health Service, through the federal supply chain. … the longevity puts us at a challenge,” said SRMT Health Services Director Michael Cook. “I’m comfortable in saying we’re good for a couple-three weeks. We’re looking at getting more supplies delivered.”

News reports are circulating throughout the country that healthcare providers are short on items like gloves, gowns and N95 masks, all of which are worn to stop the coronavirus from spreading from patients to providers. Many patients are asymptomatic and may not know they’re sick, which puts other elderly or vulnerable patients at risk.

Cook said they have a safe way to reuse the N95 masks, and many hospitals are doing the same.

His department does not treat coronavirus patients, but they can do screening and refer a patient to a hospital for testing, should they show the symptoms.

“We’re here for the community to do the screening and do the regular chronic care we’re doing outside the virus,” Cook said.

He said that Health Services has had to reduce staffing so only essential employees are showing up to work, and they are keeping fewer people in the building to abide by physical distancing guidance from the CDC.

“That took a program of 150-plus staff and we’re down to under 100 providing essential services only,” he said. “The big difference is we’re doing phone consultations versus bringing everybody in.”

He said people who are used to being able to walk in on Saturdays will still get treatment, but they, and everyone else on any other day of the week, must call 1(518)358-3141 before coming in as a precautionary measure.

“Our community are used to having Saturdays as walk-in clinics. We want to eliminate that term right now,” Cook said. “Call up. I assure everybody that calls in that they will be addressed by a medical provider.”

“We can do a lot of screening over the phone. We can write scripts. And the curbside pickup will continue,” he said. “We are doing home visits … for the chronically ill. We have wound care. We have regular services that will continue. It has to be face-to-face with certain segments of the population.”

However, some of their follow-up care has to temporarily be suspended, he said.

He said from his observations, the eight nurses, two doctors and three nurse practitioners are doing alright as far as morale is concerned, and they’re scheduling themselves to ensure coverage while trying to avoid burning out.

“I’m really proud. The staff have stepped up and developed these schedules,” Cook said. “There are breaks for the staff to address, so we don’t overwork them as well as a chance to chill out with the high level of anxiety that’s in our community. We’re doing ok with support for the staff. I want to emphasize the staff gave been doing a tremendous job. I really compliment the staff.”

“From my observation and my contact with our staff that’s in the building … I think we’re good. We certainly have levels of high anxiety, but I think it’s good.”

Cook said community members can help Health Services, and themselves, by following suggestions of public health officials.

“It’s the physical spacing, staying home avoiding going out and interacting. That’s what they can do for themselves. To help us, it’s really having a lot of patience. This is all uncharted area for all of us. For the most part, we’ve been getting really, really good comments from the community appreciating what the staff does. We have a family that donated lunch for the staff [March 30],” Cook said. “Following what we’re asking them to do is please call up. Please don’t show up at the door. Call up. We do have folks answering the phone. It has been busy. We’ve had a lot of phone calls … leave a message. We are going to give you a call back. Have patience with us, follow good care, good self-monitoring. If you’re sick, please wear a mask and isolate. If you’re sniffling, coughing, please isolate yourself in a part of the house where you’re not having contact with the rest of your family.”