What is COVID-safe care?

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Numerous precautions are in place to ensure you can safely receive the medical services you need.

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• Entry points are limited so we can screen everyone who comes into the facility.

• Everyone who comes to our hospital is screened for symptoms before being allowed to enter.

• Visitor restrictions reduce the number of people in our hospital to enable social distancing and to keep our patients even safer.

• Facemasks are worn by everyone inside the hospital – patients and employees – and our caregivers are using other appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) and washing hands before and after caring for every patient.

• Our normal deep cleaning processes are already intense and designed to protect people in our hospital, but we have enhanced all cleaning protocols with extra measures and increased frequency, including disinfection of frequently touched surfaces and all patient care areas.

• Furniture in waiting areas has been rearranged to ensure appropriate social distancing.

• We are limiting the number of procedures performed each day.

• Patients who are undergoing elective surgeries and other discretionary procedures are tested and cleared before coming to the hospital for their appointments.

• Non COVID-19 care zones have been established where patients who are screened as negative for COVID-19 receive care from a dedicated group of physicians and nurses. If, at any time, we are caring for COVID-19 positive patients, those patients are grouped together in the same unit, separated from all other patients and cared for by a dedicated team of caregivers.

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Emergency Care

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Delaying care during a medical emergency can put your life at risk. Our Emergency Department safety protocols are designed to ensure you can seek emergency treatment confidently. In the event any patients come to our ER with COVID-19 symptoms, they are separated from other patients immediately. Our caregivers and all patients wear facemasks and we are taking extraordinary measures to keep our Emergency Department safe and clean.

When every minute counts.

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Never delay emergency care for sudden symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency, including:

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• Chest pain, shortness of breath and other heart attack warning signs

• Stroke symptoms including facial drooping, arm weakness or difficulties with speech

• Accidents resulting in injuries, burns, or possible broken bones

• Sudden or severe headaches

• Abdominal pain that comes on suddenly or is severe or persistent

• Significant bleeding

• Coughing up or vomiting blood
   

In a major medical emergency, call 911 and get help as fast as possible.
This list of emergency symptoms does not include all emergency conditions.
 

Protect Yourself And Others From COVID-19
 

The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to limit close proximity to other people and to follow infection prevention recommendations.
 

• Put distance of at least six feet between yourself and other people.

• Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol.

• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Wear a facemask to cover your nose and mouth when you are in public places where you may come into contact with other people.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a bent elbow or tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
   

If You Get Sick
 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises: mildly ill patients should be encouraged to stay home and contact their healthcare provider by phone for guidance.
 

Patients who have severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face should seek emergency care immediately.
 

Older patients and individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their physician early in the course of even mild illness.
 

More Information
 

Facts about coronavirus (COVID-19), how you can protect yourself, what to do if you are sick and more is at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Prevention facts - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
What to do if you are sick - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
Overview - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html