News

Contact: Sasha Dull

The initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic required a temporary redirection of resources and focus, as increased precautions and infection control measures were put into effect for the protection of patients and staff at Crossing Rivers Health. Part of the COVID-19 response included postponing elective, non-emergent procedures and some outpatient services.

Jenny Pritchett, Chief Clinical Officer at Crossing Rivers Health, shared, “The cautionary steps we took were necessary to protect both our patients and hospital staff and to plan for a potential surge of patients with COVID-19 infections seeking care and potentially requiring hospitalization.”

“We’ve continued to assess the situation, both locally and nationally, and have begun the calculated process of reopening and resuming services,” Pritchett added. “As we move forward with the resumption of services in a measured way, the safety of our patients and employees remains our top priority.”

Crossing Rivers Health has been gradually resuming services across the organization, while continually monitoring testing capacity, supply availability, protective equipment, and external factors. The screening, temperature monitoring, and masking of all patients, visitors, and employees will continue.

Pritchett shared, “We recognize that many of the scheduled elective procedures that were deferred are semi-urgent and need to be done to preserve health, manage pain and optimize quality of life for our patients. With that in mind, we are now beginning to reschedule those procedures that were postponed due to the pandemic.”

According to Pritchett, Crossing Rivers Health’s surgical, infection prevention, and supply management teams developed a plan to ensure the safe resumption of some surgical and outpatient procedures, while also remaining prepared in the event of a surge of coronavirus patients.

“Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center and Clinics has always had stringent infection control protocols in place and we’ve enhanced those precautions in light of COVID-19,” said Stephanie Koenig, RN, Crossing Rivers Health Infection Control Practitioner.

In order to safely resume surgeries and other services, Crossing Rivers Health has implemented the following practices:

• Crossing Rivers Health has full infection control and cleaning processes in place throughout all facilities.
• Staff, patients and visitors continue to be screened for symptoms.
• All patients scheduled for an elective procedure will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the procedure, with the results available before the day of the procedure.
• Patients who have a positive COVID-19 test, or those who are unwell, will be identified before coming to the hospital and they will be rescheduled for when they have fully recovered and are no longer a risk for spreading the COVID-19 infection, unless the need for the procedure becomes emergent.
• All patients and employees are required to wear face masks throughout our facilities.
• Telehealth services are available for a number of services, to reduce face-to-face interactions.
• Well patients are kept separate from symptomatic patients in the hospital and clinics.

Koenig added, “Our facilities are safe and our team is well versed in the processes needed to safely welcome you back in all areas. We will help guide you through this new landscape and are ready to care for you and your family.”

The decisions as to which patients will be scheduled for surgery will be made by taking into consideration the patient’s benefits and risks, without regard to age, gender, race, ethnicity, or insurance status. Cases will be triaged by those that were previously cancelled or postponed and decision making will be shared by the patient, family and referring providers.

Individuals who think they may have COVID-19 or have been exposed are still encouraged to contact their health care provider before going to any medical facility.

For information about Crossing Rivers Health services, visit www.crossingrivers.org.

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