Heritage Valley Health System E-Connections is published bi-weekly and aims to increase community awareness of our services and locations. You can also stay connected by visiting our website or downloading the iHVHS and aHVHS App.
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What is the current status of COVID-19 at Heritage Valley Health System?
As with other health care facilities in the region, Heritage Valley Health System continues to see a steady rise in the cases of COVID-19 positive patients in our facilities. At Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley we have converted non-COVID patient units to COVID units to increase inpatient capacity for patients who require medical treatment and special isolation needs. The patient volume in the Critical Care Units at all three of our hospitals (Beaver, Sewickley and Kennedy Township) remains stable; however, we anticipate an increase with the post-holiday surge.
Surge plans and protocols have been developed and are in place throughout the Health System. If needed, the hospitals would convert the Post Anesthesia Care Units to Critical Care beds. The plans also include modifying inpatient surgery schedules for procedures that require patient admissions if bed capacity reaches certain levels.
At this point, Heritage Valley has not curtailed surgeries requiring admissions. We are, however, encouraging patients to have outpatient procedures performed off-site at the Beaver Valley Ambulatory Surgical Center in Monaca, PA, part of the Heritage Valley Center Township Medical Neighborhood.
Heritage Valley Health System staff continue to support patient care as needed. We are relying on our dedicated staff to work additional hours as needed to support the inpatient units. We are also prepared to redeploy staff from non–direct clinical assignments to assist in areas with critical need.
What should I do if I think I have or have come in contact with someone with COVID-19?
We encourage individuals who have minor or no COVID-19 symptoms but have an exposure concern to call one of our seven ConvenientCare locations to arrange COVID-19 testing. The ConvenientCare providers have the ability to screen the patient’s symptoms and arrange outpatient testing. Heritage Valley’s three Emergency Departments (ED) are available to care for very ill patients; however, the EDs should not be used for routine COVID-19 testing requests. It is crucial that the ED staff are available for urgent and emergent patient needs that exist, including sudden illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, etc.
Heritage Valley Health System continues to appeal to the public to help mitigate the virus by limiting trips outside your home, refraining from socializing with others in small or large groups, maintaining social distancing and, most importantly, wearing a mask.
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Heritage Valley Offers COVID-19 Testing |
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To better serve the community during this coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Heritage Valley Health System is offering COVID-19 testing at four ConvenientCare locations and two drive-thru sites.
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Testing at ConvenientCare
Patients can obtain testing after completing a telehealth/telephone visit with a provider at one of the seven ConvenientCare locations or by calling the Heritage Valley COVID Call Center at 724-773-4285. Once a visit is completed and the test ordered, patients will be directed to a ConvenientCare location for testing. Patients will be able to drive up to one of the four ConvenientCare testing locations -- Aliquippa, Ellwood City, Calcutta, Ohio and Robinson Township -- and remain in their car while clinical staff come to the car and assist in collection of the COVID-19 sample.
Drive-Thru Testing
Heritage Valley Health System continues to offer scheduled drive-thru COVID-19 and Flu testing in Beaver (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) and Moon Township (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. An authorized order from a Heritage Valley physician OR Heritage Valley ConvenientCare provider is required for COVID-19 and Flu tests at these locations. After receiving an order, patients may call 1-800-721-6237 for an appointment. Appointments are scheduled every 5 minutes.
Patients must be at least 2 years old to be tested. After having samples taken, individuals are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine at home until the test results are received. To learn more about COVID-19 and Flu testing, click here.
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ConvenientCare - Robinson Township |
Beaver Drive-Thru Testing |
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Service Spotlight: Women's Health Center
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Heritage Valley Health System is committed to bringing the most advanced care to women in the community. The Women's Health Center, located in Center Township, offers a variety of services focused on the health care needs of women. Routine services such as lab work, diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI and CT), EKG, bone density screening (DEXA) and ultrasound are provided in an atmosphere that is comfortable and convenient.
While many women utilize the Women's Health Center's state-of-the-art technology for digital screening and diagnostic mammography along with 3D Breast Tomosynthesis, the Center's capability goes beyond mammography. More advanced procedures are conducted at the Women's Health Center as well, including stereotactic biopsy, and ultrasound-guided or MRI-guided breast biopsy.
Heritage Valley Women’s Health Center is located at 200 Pleasant Drive just off the Center exit on I376. To schedule a mammogram, please call 1.866.901.MAMO (6266). For other diagnostic imaging procedures, please call 1.866.901.IMAG (4624).
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Physician Profile: Rebecca Welch, MD & Andrew Dale, MD
OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley
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Heritage Valley Health System announces a new Obstetrics & Gynecology practice located at Heritage Valley Sewickley. OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley will open on Monday, January 4, 2021. |
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Dr. Rebecca Welch is moving to the new practice from the Heritage Valley Tri-State OB/GYN practice in Beaver. Dr. Welch obtained her medical degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Welch completed her residency and internship at Allegheny Health Network/Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Obstetrics and Gynecology. There she received the West Penn – Allegheny Excellence in Research Award for her study of electronic communications between obstetricians and patients during the antenatal period.
Dr. Andrew Dale will join the new practice on February 1, 2021. Dr. Dale earned his medical degree at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley will offer quality pregnancy care and comprehensive gynecological care. Additional physicians are slated to join the practice in early 2021.
Appointments can be scheduled beginning Monday, December 14. Please call 412-749-8317.
OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley
720 Blackburn Road, First Floor | Sewickley, PA 15143
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Flu Shots Available
It is not too late to get a flu shot! Heritage Valley Health System is continuing to offer flu shots for those who have not received one. Just walk in to one of our seven community ConvenientCare locations or contact your Heritage Valley primary care physician. High dose shots are available for those 65 years and older. To find a Heritage Valley ConvenientCare walk-in clinic near you, click here.
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Breastfeeding Class and Support Group Offered via Zoom
Heritage Valley will offer a Breastfeeding for Moms Class via Zoom at 3 p.m. on January 3. During the class, expectant mothers are offered guidelines for a successful breastfeeding experience. Heritage Valley also holds a breastfeeding support group, Breastfeeding Mom’s Network, via Zoom twice per month. Upcoming support group meetings are scheduled for December 16 and January 6. It is a support group for breastfeeding or pumping mothers. Healthy moms and babies, as well as expectant mothers, are welcome to attend meetings. Both classes are led by an IBCLC, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, from Heritage Valley Sewickley. To register, please email edavidson@hvhs.org.
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