Frequently Asked Questions

The hospital is a safe place to receive care and has taken every precaution by combining strong infection prevention processes, training, testing and supply of personal protective equipment. 

For patients, this includes screening all patients and visitors who enter the hospital, isolating anyone that meets potential COVID criteria immediately, and providing testing to those individuals. Those without potential COVID risk will be offered a face mask, hand sanitizer and gloves upon entry; be asked to practice social distancing in the common area; and be directed by signage to take “COVID clear” routes. 

We encourage you to receive the care recommended by your physician or when needed in a medical emergency. Delaying care can result in additional health complications, increased risk of mortality or loss of function, and longer hospital stays with decreased likelihood of complete recovery. 

Hospital staff are well trained and experienced in managing infectious diseases. The hospital has provided universal masking, increased cleaning, increased supply of protective personal equipment (e.g., N-95 masks, gowns) and minimized staff who tend to both COVID and non- COVID patients. 

All hospital staff monitor their temperature daily. If they perceive potential COVID symptoms, they notify the hospital, self-isolate, and receive a test. They only return to work when cleared by hospital policy. 

All elective procedure patients receive a COVID-19 test. Our staff will contact you to arrange a time for testing at the hospital once your procedure is scheduled. In most cases, testing will occur within 3-5 days in advance of the procedure. We recommend self-quarantine at home for 7 days prior to the procedure. 

What does “separating” COVID and non-COVID patients at the hospital mean? 
The hospital has developed separate care pathways in their emergency department, inpatient units, and outpatient services to minimize risk of exposure. This starts with screening prior to entry to the hospital. 

Potential COVID patients enter through a separate entrance; are isolated in bays, rooms or units designated for COVID care; and have as much of their care brought to them as possible. Their pathway through the hospital will be highly monitored and limited. 

For all other patients, this means you will not be waiting, receiving or recovering from care with a known, potential COVID patient next to you. Extra precautions will also be taken, such as having all patients and staff wear masks, frequently cleaning spaces, limiting visitors, and practicing social distancing.

Everyone entering the hospital is screened for COVID-19 symptoms by answering a few questions and receiving a temperature check. You will be provided with a mask to wear inside the hospital.

You can bring your personal mask if you prefer. If not, you will be given a mask to wear upon entry to the Hospital and you’ll be asked to wear it while on site. 

For the safety of our patients, staff and community, hospital entrances are limited and visitors are restricted. We recognize not having a support person nearby can be difficult, and you are encouraged to communicate through mobile devices when possible. 

When ready after your procedure, a recovery nurse will help you prepare to return home. You will receive prescriptions for any necessary medication and written instructions to follow at home. Our staff will escort you to the entrance to be picked up by your family member or friend. 

Please follow instructions for preparing for your scheduled care and arrive at the time requested. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait outside the hospital or in your vehicle. 

Hospital staff will make every effort to be efficient before, during and after your care, including arranging prescreening by phone and post-care virtual visits. This will reduce your time in the hospital.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause from mild to serious respiratory infections. COVID-19 is the most recently discovered form of coronavirus. This new virus and disease was unknown before the December 2019 outbreak in Wuhan, China.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Significant loss of appetite

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Talk with your medical provider about other symptoms that are concerning or severe.

 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep a distance of about 6 feet.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Clean AND disinfect  frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.

• Adults age 65 and older
• People of any age with underlying medical conditions, such as:
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Lung disease
• Cancer

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Stay home except to get medical care. Avoid public areas and do not use public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.

Call ahead to let the doctor’s office know that you have or may have COVID-19. Wear a facemask before you enter your health provider’s office.

Monitor your symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g. if you have difficulty breathing).

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.

Stay at home, in isolation, until the risk of secondary transmission is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and your state and local health departments.

While in home isolation, stay away from other people in your home. Stay in a specific room as much as possible and use a separate bathroom, if available. Limit contact with pets.

Avoid sharing personal items, such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Practice routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables.

For more information on steps to take if you become sick with COVID-19, go to the CDC website.

Most mild cases last a few days. Severe cases can last two to three weeks.

We take every precaution possible to provide a safe environment for any emergency as well as for elective and medically necessary procedures as prescribed by your primary care physician or specialist. 

We have implemented our COVID SAFETY standards at all of our facilities, which are a combination of rigorous infection prevention processes, staff training, testing and utilization of personal protective equipment and technology focused on protecting patients and their families as they seek care at our facilities.

With COVID-19, we are taking extra safety measures and following the guidelines of the State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our local Infection Control and Prevention Team. If you feel like you are sick, please contact your healthcare provider first to receive next steps. If you suspect you may have COVID-19, please also contact your primary care physician first to receive next steps. 

The CDC website features the most current information about the virus.