TidalHealth to resume using triage and screening tents outside emergency department

SALISBURY, Md. – In its ongoing effort to protect the health and well-being of patients, visitors, staff, and community, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional will reestablish its triage and screening tents adjacent to the walk-in entrance of its Emergency/Trauma Center.

A greeter or nurse will be positioned outside the department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will speak with all patients and ask a series of questions about their health on arrival. They will screen for flu and COVID symptoms, and wills segregate patients appropriately to a designated location inside the emergency department or outside the triage tent based on the persons’ assessment.

We’re told TidalHealth plans to start using the tent by October 16th, and says it is not intended for general COVID-19 walk-up screenings. They plan to use the triage tent for the foreseeable future as part of their flu season and COVID-19 enhanced visitor and patient safety processes.

Emergency Department officials say patients brought to the emergency department in severe distress will still be taken immediately inside and placed in rooms to protect them and others from exposure.