Retrospective

The winding road that was 2020

Before we launch into our plans and goals for 2021, it is important to reflect on the challenging trek and extraordinary year that was 2020, and the debt of gratitude owed to this healthcare team for a job very well done.

While the year opened in a fairly normal fashion with winter snow and excellent results in our DNV survey, it took a hard left turn with the arrival of COVID-19 and the first confirmed case in the United States, right here in our region, on January 20, 2020, in Everett.

After weeks of multidisciplinary meetings, preparations and a close watch on the growing pandemic, Skagit Regional Health operationalized Incident Command on March 2, 2020 and the PIO sent out the first daily email with COVID-19 updates for staff and providers. Our medical team kept a close watch on international, federal, state and local public health guidance, leading to an ever-changing understanding of testing, diagnosis and treatment of the virus and a focus on protecting our patients, employees, providers with visitation limitations, PPE, screening, masking, hand hygiene and precautions for all.

The remaining months of the year featured peaks and valleys as the illness spread and surged across the country and in our service area. Our healthcare team was singularly focused on our patients and providing safe outstanding care. Planning for receipt and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine for our healthcare team occupied the final weeks of the year.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continued, 2020 also featured rewarding outcomes and progress at Skagit Regional Health. Some were related to the virus including the quick stand-up of Acute Respiratory Clinics, asymptomatic testing sites and rapid expansion of telehealth visits in a variety of specialties to serve our patients and communities.

The organization continues to focus on growth and access with a variety of successes in 2020 including the reopening of the Arlington Surgery Center; recruitment of more than 40 providers; opening of Division Street clinic; the addition of Cascade Ear, Nose and Throat to the system; the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation’s completion of a $2 million campaign to provide 3D mammography; and reestablishing primary care at the Smokey Point clinic. In a major advancement in response to employee feedback, Skagit Regional Health successfully transitioned medical benefits to Premera and, for the first time, offers an employer contribution for dependent coverage effective in 2021.

All in all, a very busy and challenging, yet rewarding, year. Thank you for the team’s dedication and compassion.

ROLLING UP A SLEEVE: Ben Lucas-Roberts, MD, an Emergency Medicine physician at Skagit Valley Hospital, celebrates receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

TIME FOR A CHECKUP: Ashleigh Adkins, ARNP, a Family Medicine provider at Skagit Regional Health – Smokey Point, examines a young patient.