St. Luke’s University Health Network has implemented a universal masking policy for its patient-facing health care workers and employees. St. Luke’s made the universal masking decision to protect its patients and staff and to help reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

“We currently have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to undertake this important safety initiative,” states Kara Mascitti, MD, St. Luke’s Medical Director of Health Care Epidemiology and Infection Prevention “Our ability to socially distance when providing patient care is limited, so we are implementing this policy to protect both our patients and our staff.”

“We remain grateful to the community for its outpouring of donated masks and other supplies – keep it coming.”

Patients at St. Luke’s facilities will not need to mask, unless they are exhibiting symptoms or have known exposure to COVID-19.

“Our community still has health care needs beyond this pandemic,” says Mascitti. “It’s important that if you need to visit one of our facilities, for COVID-19 or otherwise, that you know that you are safe in doing so.”

Virtual telehealth visits are also available for individuals looking to connect with their primary care or specialty doctor from home. To arrange for a telehealth visit, please contact your doctor. To find a doctor, call 1-866-STLUKES, option 4.

Stay at home

With the shelter in place order for Monroe County and the Lehigh Valley, St. Luke’s University Health Network is urging the public to shelter at home.

“We’ve been tracking the number of cases,” said St. Luke’s infectious disease specialist Jeffrey Jahre, MD, senior vice president of medical affairs. “Community spread indicates that the region will experience a rapid surge of cases in the next few weeks.”

That surge will tax the region’s health care resources.

“It is critical that the public heads the advice to stay home,” Jahre said. “We all can do our part to stop the spread. Most important right now is to stay home unless you are providing ‘life-sustaining’ services. Our health care workers, our grocery store employees, people in distribution – they can protect themselves by practicing good hygiene and social distancing when possible.”

For many at home, it is important to keep regularly scheduled medical appointments. St. Luke’s is offering telehealth virtual visits for individuals who still need to receive care. Call your family physician for details or call St. Luke’s InfoLink at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).