Visitation Restrictions are in place to: a) protect our patients, b) protect our staff and c) limit the overall foot traffic within the facility.
- East entrance is closed except during the hours of 10:00am-6:00pm when a Security guard is available for screenings
- Only the patient is allowed in the clinic. If the patient is unable to come alone, they are asked to call before their visit in order for staff to make necessary arrangements.
- For child appointments, only one parent/guardian is to accompany them. There will be no siblings allowed at this time.
- Screenings are completed for anyone entering the provider offices.
Employee temperature screenings in effect Thursday, March 26. Visitors and employees will be screened at all public entrances. Patient care employees have been directed to use one of three available staff entrances where they will get their temperature checked before proceeding to work. Non-patient care areas have been directed to self-test.
Approximately 70-80 patient care employees have been fit tested for the N95 respirator masks.
Change in services – elimination of elective procedures and elective medicines; encourage patients to reschedule for non-urgent visits
Newman Regional Health is operating a drive-thru specimen collection for COVID-19 tests with a medical provider’s order.
Respiratory Clinic – opened Thursday, March 26. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 8:00am-12:00pm out of the Express Care location. Patients are required to first check-in at the ER Registration window. This setting helps to reduce the unnecessary exposure to others from patients that may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or other respiratory conditions. Patients are scheduled to be seen in the Respiratory Clinic after a verbal health screening over the phone with their provider’s office.
Current average of COVID-19 tests per day is 5, but is expected to increase significantly.
KDHE state testing has been limited to the following:
- Healthcare workers and first responders who have COVID-19 symptoms
- Potential clusters of unknown respiratory illness, with priority given to long-term care facilities and healthcare facilities
- Hospitalized patients with no alternative diagnosis
- Individuals over the age of 60 who have symptoms of COVID-19 with priority given to people who reside in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or other congregate settings
- Individuals with underlying health conditions that would be treated differently if they were infected with COVID-19
COVID-19 tests for patients that do not meet the aforementioned criteria will be sent to Quest Diagnostics laboratory in Lenexa, KS with an expected turnaround time of 2 to 3 days after specimens are collected. Testing through Quest results in a $98.00 charge that is billable to a patient’s insurance. Insurance companies including Medicare and Medicaid are required by recent federal legislation to waive the co-payment for these tests, but patients will remain responsible for any deductible. Patients without insurance will be covered by Medicaid.
Non-essential surgeries and procedures have been canceled/postponed with specific services to be decided on a case-by-case basis with the physician.
Importance of ‘Call Before You Go’
Due to the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), we have started asking the community for their support with mask donations – cloth masks for patients and N95 covers made of surgical drape for healthcare workers that can be used to help extend the life of an N95 mask.
Currently deploying new means for supplies and equipment, as needed, based on shortages of masks and gowns.
Current average inpatient volume is 17 with a 10-bed rehabilitation unit. If needed, these numbers could increase to 50 inpatients and 2-3 times our current ER volume which would be manageable with current staffing.
Current discussion of a surge unit dedicated to the care of positive COVID-19 patients.
Two referral hospitals are available in Topeka – Stormont Vail Health and St. Francis.