FROM BLUFFTON ICON - Dr. William Kose, Blanchard Valley Health System medical officer, says the triage and testing tent outside the Bluffton Hospital is working well after seven days.

In a phone conversation with the Icon Friday afternoon, he talked about how the Bluffton Hospital is coping with the current health situation.

CLICK HERE for the story on the triage and testing tent.

“We are talking with lots of people through our hospital emergency line who have questions and concerns,” he said. “Most of the calls include questions and we are using it as an educational tool.”

Phone numbers for a pre-screen conversation with a registered nurse:
• Bluffton number: 419-369-2399
• Findlay number: 419-423-7890
• Lima number: 419-226-9000

The tent at Bluffton is working well. The feedback we are getting from residents is very good. In fact, we’re received no negative feedback, he added. 

“We continue to see people in the ERs of Bluffton and Findlay,” he said. “If someone in Bluffton was diagnosed with the virus, we would transfer that person to Findlay.”

Using the term “person under investigation,” Dr. Kose said that no one as of Friday was admitted to Findlay as a PUI, relating to having virus conditions. 

Dr. Kose stressed the importance of social distancing and hand washing.  

He also stressed the importance to reach out to others via phone calls, adding that there are many people in the hospital service area who are isolated and need to interact with others.