Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

Our hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

COVID-19 Online Risk Assessment

To help support the health of our community, we are providing access to an online COVID-19 risk assessment developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool does NOT provide a diagnosis, and it should NOT be used as a substitute for an assessment made by a healthcare provider.

Begin CDC Online Assessment

UPDATED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

Starting Wednesday, June 17, outpatients are allowed to bring one healthy support person/visitor with them to their clinic visit and urgent care, emergency, radiology, lab and therapy appointments. In addition, inpatients of the hospital are allowed one visitor per day with visitor hours ending at 8:00 pm.

Support person/visitor must be 18 years of age or older
Everyone entering the hospital will be screened for symptoms consistent with COVID-19
Visitors who pass the screening will receive a sticker to be worn throughout the duration of their visit
Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free
Visitors are NOT allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.

Signage is being posted around the facility notifying visitors and the community of these new guidelines.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain a safe environment for our patients and team.

SCREENING GUIDELINES & LIMITED ENTRY POINTS

Until otherwise notified, everyone entering our hospital and attached facilities should come through the Main Entrance, Emergency Entrance or Medical Office Building (MOB) West. All other entry points will be closed until further notice.

Anyone entering any of our facilities will be screened for respiratory symptoms and recent travel history, based on current CDC guidelines. These increased safety measures do NOT mean that you cannot access the hospital or your providers. Please seek medical care as needed. If you are concerned that you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call your provider for guidance before visiting his or her office.

Open Door Hours:

Main Entrance (5:30 am — 8:00 pm)
Emergency Department (24 hours)
Medical Office Building (MOB) West (6:00 am — 6:00 pm)

TESTING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are you testing anybody in the community that requests testing and has no symptoms?
No, not at this time. However, if you feel you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you have symptoms, contact your primary care provider or Urgent Care for more information.

Do you do antibody testing?
No, not at this time. This may change in the future.

Where do I find the results of my test?
Contact the provider that ordered the test. This could be Watertown Public Health, your prmiary care or specialty provider, Urgent Care or the Emergency Department.

APPOINTMENTS, PROCEDURES AND SURGERIES

We have re-opened for a majority of appointments, procedures and surgeries. iI yours was previously rescheduled, we will reach out to you. If you need to schedule one or have any questions, please reach out to your provider.

TELEHEALTH VISITS

Patients can request a telehealth visit by calling their provider’s office, just as they would for an in-person visit. Your provider will determine if a telehealth visit is appropriate based on your health condition and type of appointment .

If deemed clinically appropriate, you will be given an appointment time and instructions for the best way to connect given the available platforms. Then, instead of coming to the office, you will be asked to call back at the scheduled time and be “checked in” by a nurse or office manager, and then transferred to the provider.

Available platforms include:

Telephonic - a patient phone call with a provider
Televideo - a virtual, face-to-face visit with a provider using a video conferencing service. These visits may not be available in all cases and will be evaluated based on a patient’s specific needs

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

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 available, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Avoid large events, large gatherings of over 250 people will be cancelled.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

MASKS & CLOTH FACE COVERINGS

The CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings and when around people who don't live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.

Visit the CDC website for helpful tools, including:

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK

It is important to help protect the other people in your home and community if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it.

Follow the steps below:

Stay home except to get medical care
Seperate yourself from others in your home
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
Wear a facemask if you are sick
Cover your coughs and sneezes with elbow or tissue
Wash your hands often
Avoid sharing personal household items
Clean all high-touch surfaces everyday
Monitor your symptoms