Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus
Methodist Hospitals is prepared for COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
Contributed By:The 411 News
Some new policies will limit access to facilities
Because of the spreading coronavirus in the U.S., the safety of visitors and patients is a top priority at The Methodist Hospitals.
Concerns about their welfare have required new policies, said hospital vice president Vincent L. Sevier. Some will limit access to the facilities with the ultimate purpose of slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Sevier said, “We have systems in place for screening and isolating any person who presents with symptoms and then fully supporting their care as warranted. We are fully capable of providing the necessary treatment for a patient with COVID-19 as well as minimizing risk to others.”
Sevier is not recommending that patients cancel any appointments, procedures or elective surgeries.
The country’s first diagnoses of the virus that had reached epidemic status in China in December 2019 began appearing in January 2020 in Washington State nursing and rehabilitation centers with deadly consequences.
On March 18, new Methodist Hospitals policies placed their facilities off-limits to all visitors. No one under age 18 will be permitted unless they are a patient.
Exceptions will be made to the critically ill, emergency department, labor and delivery, and procedural areas.
Everyone entering the hospitals will be screened for respiratory symptoms.
Before entering or leaving the hospital, the new policy advice is to wash hands with soap or sanitizers available throughout the hospital.
Sevier said Methodist is following Indiana State Dept. of Health and federal guidelines to limit COVID-19 testing to severely ill patients admitted to the hospital, healthcare workers who have been exposed to confirmed cases and some symptomatic individuals in high risk populations.
If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, stay home and call your healthcare provider.
Older patients and individuals who have severe underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their healthcare provider early, even if their illness is mild. If symptoms are severe, contact your healthcare provider or seek care immediately at the emergency room.
Story Posted:03/14/2020
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