As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Ventura County, doctors and nurses throughout the Conejo Valley are stepping up to ensure their community members, health care workers and first responders are safe and taken care of during the pandemic.
Mark Suski, MD, is a general surgeon and chief of staff at Los Robles Health System in Thousand Oaks. He is also the director of the Center for Advanced Wound Healing at the hospital.
“I became a doctor to help keep people healthy and to heal them when they are sick,” says Dr. Suski. “From nursing to administration to each and every person that keeps the hospital running, we are a resilient group. We really are TO Strong.”
Dr. Suski says he has seen a wide range of patients of all ages come into the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms.
“If they are admitted to the hospital, then the cases are more serious and require hospitalization,” says Dr. Suski. “We are fortunate that we have the resources needed to keep our community healthy and safe.”
Los Robles practitioners test patients based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. When treating a COVID-19 patient with presenting symptoms, Dr. Suski says the first step is to screen the patient for a cough, fever, shortness of breath, other signs of respiratory distress or infection, or if the patient reports a history of recent contact with a positive COVID-19 patient.
“If we suspect possible concern for COVID-19, we place each patient in a mask and escort them to one of two private treatment areas with teams and equipment to evaluate them,” says Dr. Suski. “Hospital care is dependent upon what the patient may need.”
Dr. Suski says Los Robles has designated units and floors to treat COVID-19 and non-COVID patients.
“If a patient requires admission, we will admit them to our critical care or medical-surgical COVID-19 care units, depending upon the care level they need,” says Dr. Suski. “Each unit maintains strict isolation precautions while administering care.”
For patients who are severely ill needing a hospital bed, Dr. Suski says Los Robles has a surge plan for extra beds in areas of the hospital for critical care patients. Elective surgeries have also been postponed to create the capacity.
“We have the bed capacity, staffing, supplies and equipment we need at this time,” says Dr. Suski. “We continue to plan daily by accessing the resources and best practices to ensure we remain able to meet the needs of the communities we serve as the situation continues to evolve.”
In terms of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilator supply, Dr. Suski says the supply at Los Robles remains intact. Los Robles is also part of the Hospital Corporation of America Healthcare to ensure the hospital is adequately equipped.
“If our staff requires PPE due to COVID-19 risk of contamination, it is absolutely provided,” says Dr. Suski. “Additional supplies and equipment continue to be delivered to our hospital.”
Los Robles is also practicing appropriate CDC PPE usage guidelines, including proactive rationing of our supplies to those that are on the front lines caring for patients with COVID, where PPE is needed most. They are also prioritizing PPE use for selected care activities should a shortage occur.
“While this is an unprecedented circumstance, we absolutely know that our doctors, nurses and emergency response teams are our most vital asset in overcoming this pandemic,” says Dr. Suski. “We will do everything in our power to protect them so they can protect our community at this time.”
Dr. Suski says Los Robles staff members are thankful for the outpouring of community support, from emails and notes to flowers and meals.
“We’ve also seen people drop off new PPE masks that they have left over from the 2018 fires,” says Dr. Suski. “We appreciate every single gesture.”
The doctor advises Conejo Valley residents to continue staying in residences and practicing social distancing during the pandemic.
“We will get through this, but we need the community to be patient,” he says. “The situation is fluid and changes are occurring on a daily basis.”