SUMMIT PACIFIC RECEIVES QUALITY-BASED ACCREDITATION FROM DNV

Summit Pacific Finalizing Phase 1A Vaccines, Planning for Phase 1B Administration

January 7, 2021

(ELMA, WA) – On Monday, December 28, 30 Summit Pacific staff and Grays Harbor County first responders volunteered to receive the vaccine as the hospital finalized its vaccine process during a test run. In addition to frontline caregivers, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dietrich was one of the first at Summit Pacific to be vaccinated. Since then, the organization has been actively vaccinating hospital staff as well as many first responders and those working in long-term care facilities in Grays Harbor County.

“There are many interested patients and community members waiting to get the vaccine. This is an enormous task, but it is our commitment to the community to distribute the vaccine as quickly and safely as possible within the criteria established by the Governor,” said Dr. Dietrich.

Summit Pacific is working to vaccinate as many staff and community partners eligible in Phase 1A as possible by Friday, January 8. If you, or your organization, are included in the Phase 1A category and have not received the vaccine, please submit an intake form by visiting http://bit.ly/phase1a.

Summit Pacific is actively planning for Phase 1B, which will include contacting eligible patients and organizations to assess how many eligible staff they have and who wants to be vaccinated.  Summit will use this information to create a Phase 1B eligibility list.  Summit will use the list to contact eligible individuals directly as the vaccine becomes available.

Vaccines are administered within Summit Pacific Medical Center and require a 15-minute observation period before the patient can leave. “In an effort to provide a safe, comfortable space for our community to be vaccinated, we set up our vaccines to take place in our largest conference room within the hospital,” said Dr. Dietrich. “Our staff have a direct line of sight on everyone to watch for reactions, and if needed, we’re just down the hall from the Emergency Department. Thankfully the risk of a serious reaction is exceedingly small.”

“We’re committed to ensuring that all who are eligible and want to receive the vaccine are able get it as supply arrives,” said Dr. Ken Dietrich, CMO. To check your COVID vaccine eligibility under the current phase, please use the Washington State Department of Health eligibility form by visiting FindYourPhaseWA.org.

Though people are becoming vaccinated, hospital leaders urge that everyone continue to protect themselves, their families, and their frontline caregivers by wearing masks, washing their hands, maintaining physical distancing, and avoiding travel and gatherings.

Summit Pacific is seeing 50-60 community members a day at its Drive-Up Testing site, with around a 15% positivity rate. “This is double the rate it has been,” said Dr. Dietrich. “On one of the busiest days over 90 tests were performed.”

Drive-Up Testing is available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday. Testing is located at 575 E Main St. Bldg. #2, Elma, WA 98541. Upon arrival to the testing site, patients will call 360-495-5742 to check in, find a designated space to park in and wait for a text or call notifying them that it is time to pull under the tent for testing. Test results are available within 3-5 days, depending on test volumes.

View the full press release here.