To provide a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, staff and physicians, hospital entry points will be consolidated to allow for screening prior to entry, per CDC guidelines.
Garden Park Medical Center announced measures being adopted to protect the health of patients, visitors and staff against the coronavirus, COVID-19.
“The health and well-being of our patients, visitors and colleagues, as well as our community, are paramount at Garden Park,” said Randy Rogers, Garden Park’s CEO. “Ashealthcare providers committed to the care and improvement of human life, we take very seriously our responsibility to provide a safe environment, while delivering high quality, compassionate healthcare.”
Rogers said that, out of an abundance of caution, precautionary measures — beyond what are performed routinely during influenza season — are being implemented immediately.
“We are grateful that we’ve not seen impact locally of COVID-19,” Rogers said. “At Garden Park, our goal is to take every precaution by limiting the risk of exposure to our patients, visitors, colleagues, and physicians in order to keep our community safe.”
These measures include:
- Consolidating entry points and requiring that all patients and visitors are screened prior to entry, per the CDC guidelines.
- Based on the screening outcome, appropriate protocols will be implemented.
- Canceling and rescheduling some community events and classes.
- Beginning Monday, visitors to Garden Park will encounter signage to help them navigate through the site and greeters who will assist in navigation and questions.
As is always the case when visiting a hospital, the public is encouraged to seek medical attention and avoid visiting a patient if they:
- Have a fever.
- Have a cough or shortness of breath and/or have traveled outside the US in the past 14 days.
- Have had direct contact with someone who is currently being screened or has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“For many people, COVID-19 will present in a mild manner, very similar to the flu, and they will recover safely at home with rest and fluids,” Rogers said. “Those at highest risk are individuals over 65, those who are immunosuppressed, or those with a chronic medical disease or illness. The best protection right now is hand washing, covering your cough, avoiding large groups of people, and refraining from touching your face, nose, and mouth.”
Garden Park continues to work in close partnership with state and local health departments and the CDC and will provide updates as needed.