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iOur hospital is clean and safe – just like it always has been! One of the core elements of properly managing infectious diseases is the cleanliness of our physical facility. Our hospital follows the most effective cleaning and disinfection protocols developed for the healthcare industry. Our environmental services team members follow AORN guidelines for the cleaning and disinfecting of surgery suites between every patient. It consists of disinfecting all exposed and high-touch areas and all machines, carts and other equipment used in the room. Inpatient rooms are cleaned daily, to include disinfecting surfaces, bathrooms and high touch areas. Public areas are also cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. We have a dedicated infection control preventionist who monitors, surveys and tracks sources of possible infection and partners with our environmental services team to ensure all necessary cleaning measures are taken.
Our clinical teams will conduct meetings in which they will review crucial supplies such as PPE, medications, blood, space and staffing to ensure that we have enough to comfortably care for those undergoing elective/non-urgent procedures AND accommodate our normal emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.
Our team regularly monitors staffing levels to ensure a safe environment for all patients, providers and employees. In addition, we screen all employees daily for COVID-19 symptoms. We are confident we have the appropriate staff and providers to provide elective and non-urgent procedures while also accommodating our normal emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.
Your experience in our facility may look a little different than in the past, but this is because we have new processes and procedures in place to further protect your health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon arrival at the facility, you must be wearing a mask or cloth face covering. You will also be asked the same standard screening questions. Handmade masks and bandanas are acceptable face coverings, as long as they cover your mouth and nose. Instructions on the correct way to wear cloth face coverings and how to make your own can be found here.
We continue to operate under limited-visitor protocol out of an abundance of caution. You will be allowed one visitor, age 18 or older, to accompany you. Your visitor/companion will be asked COVID-19 screening questions and have their temperature taken. If your visitor/companion does not pass the COVID-19 screening process, they will not be allowed to remain inside the facility. We will gather their contact information so we can follow up with them to provide an update after your procedure and share instructions for pick up at the same location.
You may never see another patient while you are here, and that is intentional for now. We are currently trying to minimize overlap in an effort to promote social distancing, conserve resources, and protect the safety of all of our patients and employees.
You are going to be asked COVID-19 screening questions multiple times by multiple people, up until you are admitted for your procedure. You may get tired of these questions, but we assure you they are for your health and safety, and that of our staff.
You may never see the faces of your care team members under their protective equipment. We do regret this, as the personal connections we have with our patients and community are what keep us going. However, this is an important precaution we are taking to protect you and our clinical staff.
The questions are part of our standard COVID-19 screening process and include asking if you have….
Whenever you are asked, please answer these screening questions honestly. If your procedure has to be postponed, it will be just that: postponed. It does NOT mean it will be canceled, and we will work with you to reschedule as soon as possible.
If you are having a surgical procedure, you ask that you try to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19 prior to your procedure. This means going a step further from social distancing — trying only to leave your home for critical needs such as groceries or going to the pharmacy. If you need to leave for an essential purpose, please wear a mask. You also will be asked to check your temperature twice a day during this seven-day period and report any result above 100°F to your provider. Finally, you will be tested for COVID-19 prior to your procedure as an additional precaution.
If you are having an imaging procedure, you will be screened, but not tested for COVID-19, and you must be wearing a mask.
If you are having a surgical procedure, you will be tested for COVID-19 prior to your procedure. Your provider will place the order for the test, and the hospital will reach out with instructions for scheduling. If your test happens to be positive, your procedure will be postponed, and you will be given instructions related to your care. If you are having an imaging procedure, you will be screened and masked, but not tested for COVID-19.
If you have a family member/spouse/friend/caregiver with you, he/she must be at least 18 years old and must be free from any COVID-19 related symptoms and cannot have a temperature over 100 degrees. If your companion has a fever or any COVID-19 related symptoms, they will be asked to remain in the car. We will gather their contact information so we can follow up with them to provide an update after your procedure and share instructions for pick up at the same location.
When you arrive, you will either park and enter through the Patient Registration entrance, or be dropped off by your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver at the Patient Registration entrance. If you have a companion joining you, they must be with you at the screening station before you can proceed to your destination.
When you arrive at the facility, you must be wearing a mask or cloth face covering. You will also be asked the same standard screening questions. Handmade masks and bandanas are acceptable face coverings, as long as they cover your mouth and nose. Instructions on the correct way to wear cloth face coverings and how to make your own can be found here.
If you are bringing a visitor/companion with you, they must also be wearing a mask or cloth face covering and will be asked the same standard screening questions.
We are not performing elective/non-urgent procedures on COVID-19 positive patients at this time.
All patients who test positive for an infectious disease, including COVID-19, are isolated for treatment in accordance with Oklahoma State Health Department and CDC guidelines. Should we have the need, our hospital can establish a dedicated isolation unit for treatment of patients under investigation (PUIs) and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.
If you have any questions specifically about your procedure, please call your doctor’s office. For questions about what to expect once you arrive at our facility, please call 580-531-4760.