MEDIA CONTACT:
Christa Hyson, MPH
Senior Manager, External Relations
(513) 247-5254
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – READ IN SPANISH
Responsibly Expanding our Region’s Healthcare Services
Greater Cincinnati Hospitals are ready and safe for you and your loved ones
CINCINNATI, OH (MAY 5, 2020) – As our region prepared back in March for a significant surge in COVID-19 cases across our health systems and hospitals, state and health leaders took steps to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE), preserve critical hospital capacity, and to promote social distancing in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
Our region’s hospitals have continued to see patients during these restrictions who needed mental healthcare and emergency medical care, and have performed other life-saving procedures during these unprecedented times. Together, as we partner across health systems and hospitals, we are prioritizing the needs and safety of patients, families, and employees to ensure we have the right resources needed to reopen and expand our services.
As we move forward to responsibly restart our economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are working to ensure the health and safety of all citizens in Greater Cincinnati – including those working in healthcare and those who need to access healthcare services, while also considering the underlying social determinants of health and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority populations.
Our hospitals, ambulatory locations, and physician practices have trained staff and have instituted extra sanitizing practices, such as continued COVID-19 readiness training, closely monitoring PPE supplies, and around-the-clock disinfection, to help ensure a clean and safe physical environment. Our hospitals are safe and ready to provide care in your time of need – do not delay care if you exhibit symptoms. Our emergency departments, physician practices, diagnostic services, and essential procedures are open for you when you need them. If you had to delay any preventive screenings or appointments for chronic care, please reach out to you provider to reschedule.
A variety of options are also available for connecting with your care providers – in-person, phone, email, and video visits – to ensure that all patients maintain the ability to access care. Please do not wait for a symptom or condition to worsen before you seek care, and continue to keep up with regular appointments for preventive care.
While things may be different, our level and commitment to care has not changed. If you need mental health care or medical care, please be aware of the below changes to our hospitals.
Things to Expect:
Entrances
- Please note that not all entrances may be open. Please review signage upon arrival -or call ahead – to the hospital of your choice.
At-the-Door Screenings
- All facilities are screening every person, including staff and providers, in two ways before allowing entry. This includes a temperature check for fever and a symptom screening developed by the CDC.
Visitor Restrictions
- Visitation restrictions are set to keep patients and employees safe. Check with your hospital before visiting. All visitors will be screened before entering a facility and must wear a mask.
Universal Mask Guidelines
- All visitors, patients, staff, and physicians wear masks at all times, to help ensure the safety of everyone in our facilities and to further assist in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
- Employees are assigned and supplied masks that have been chosen specific to their type of work and the types of patients they serve.
- Patients and visitors who are not experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms must wear a mask for their protection and the protection of others.
COVID-19 Patients
- Any patient with or under investigation for COVID-19 who is admitted to our region’s hospitals is cared for with special isolation precautions by a dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
- COVID-19 patient units are separated from other units.
- Our highly skilled healthcare professionals have been specially trained on how to care for COVID-19 patients and on how to protect themselves and others to contain the spread of illness.
Patient Testing Prior to Procedures
- Patients scheduled for a procedure or surgery may be tested for COVID-19 prior to entering a care area for their medical service.
How you can help:
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- When available, utilize the check-in process online at home or from your mobile device before coming to a hospital.
- Check for any visitor restrictions specific to your appointment type or location by calling or visiting your hospital’s website.
- Ask about parking and entrances prior to coming to an appointment or procedure.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer prior to arrival.
- Wear your own mask if you have one.
- Bring along a digital device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop, to connect with loved ones if they are unable to be with you during an inpatient hospital stay.
- Practice safe social distancing.
- Use telehealth options whenever possible.
Thank you, Greater Cincinnati for continuing to abide by state and local government orders, as well as donating blood, checking on neighbors, and caring for our healthcare community. Together we are continuing to “flatten the curve.”
For information about COVID-19 in Greater Cincinnati visit: https://healthcollab.org/covid-19/.
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About The Health Collaborative: The Health Collaborative is a non-profit organization that leads data-driven improvements that result in healthier people, better care and lower costs. For more information about The Health Collaborative, visit healthcollab.org.
