CRISIS: To those who rise up

In times of crisis, thankfully, there are those who step up to the challenge and do their part to calm fear and panic, while informing the public what are the best things to do for their safety and to protect their loved ones!

Recently I became a patient of a wonderful Nurse Practicioner at PHD who is now my Primary Care Provider. Several days ago I was sent an e-mail and a text by the PHD office acknowledging the COVID-19 Pandemic, what changes they are making due to this outbreak and instructions about the symptoms to look for and what to do if I experience them. I found this to be quite helpful and showed that they care about the welfare of their patients!

I also see some Kootenai Health owned physicians and one of them prescribes a medication for me that can lower my immunity. There has been no communication of any kind sent to me from that office about this Pandemic, what my risk is and what they recommend should I feel sick!

Furthermore, I have not seen anything from Kootenai Health leadership expressing to the public what they are doing to help protect the sick and vulnerable! And what are the hospital’s recommendations for all of us in the community to help stop the spread of this virus and what should we do if we have certain symptoms of the corona virus? I am extremely disappointed in the lack of leadership from Kootenai Health during this unprecedented stressful time!

I was a nurse at Kootenai Health for 35 years, retired in 2015 and I was very proud of the high quality patient care I felt we gave! I am now wondering what has changed because I could never have imagined that our Community Hospital would let itself get too big to care!

PEGGY SORENSON

Hayden