News From SIH

The Harrisburg Medical Center Board of Directors has voted in favor of the Saline County hospital joining Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH), pending approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Services and Review Board (IHFSRB). The outcome is the result of 16 months of discussions and due diligence as both entities explored a mutually beneficial relationship.

A reimagined and reinvigorated economic development initiative will create a regional hub and serve as a unified voice for the 17 southernmost counties. SI Now, a Southern Illinois Success Initiative, involves collaboration among leaders in business and industry, healthcare, higher education, workforce development, transportation, government, non-profit economic development and community coalitions. SI Now’s vision is to create a thriving, economically diverse environment with a growing population, labor force, per capita income and expanding tax base, while elevating an already high quality of life.

Below is a list of delays or closures as of 02/16/2021 8 a.m.

Closed Tuesday, February 16:

• All SIH Outpatient Rehabilitation locations
• SIH Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Rehabilitation Physician Services located at Logan Park
• Outpatient Wound Care appointments at SIH Herrin Hospital and SIH St. Joseph Memorial Hospital
• SIH Walk-in Clinic at John A Logan College
• All SIH Outpatient Laboratory locations
• Outpatient Imaging Services
• The Breast Centers in Carbondale and Marion are closed for imaging procedures such as mammograms and ultrasounds. Breast clinic appointments with Jamie Hulgren, NP, and Arsalan Salamat, MD, in Carbondale are being held as scheduled.

SIH Cancer Institute has joined the Siteman Cancer Network to improve the health of Southern Illinois communities and residents through cancer prevention, research and access to specialized care, for patients who need such care, at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves in our region, SIH continuously evaluates all of our operational practices to ensure we are providing a safe environment for our team members, patients, and visitors. As a result, starting Wednesday, September 16th, SIH hospitals will change the process by which visitors enter the Emergency Departments (ED).

A $2.8 million grant resulting from a partnership between the Jackson County Health Department, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale will bring expanded COVID-19 testing to the county and SIU campus.

The HHS Partnership Center is supporting HHS and FEMA’s efforts to make face coverings widely available in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The face coverings, produced and delivered in partnership with USPS and the National Council of Textile Organizations, are being made available to community-based organizations at no cost (and while supplies last).

A single plasma donation from a recovered COVID-19 patient could help up to four patients fight the virus. SIH is now part of a Mayo Clinic study investigating convalescent plasma as a treatment option. The large-scale analysis features collaboration among more than 2,200 hospitals and healthcare entities across the country.

Unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, access to care issues, transportation and financial barriers are social determinants of health that adversely affect people in our region. Of significant note is poverty. According to the most recent SIH Community Health Needs Assessment, between 14.4 - 23.4% of our population was living at or below the poverty line.

Infectious disease experts say, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, you should leave your gloves at home the next time you run an errand. "We do not recommend the public wears gloves when they're outside--especially in the supermarket or anywhere else," said Doctor Sarah Altamimi with SIH. "Wearing gloves just adds a false security sense that you are not really benefiting from at all."