Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar is lifting restrictions on elective surgeries and outpatient procedures now that Missouri’s stay at home order is no longer in effect.
The information below is from an edited press release by CMH:
The decision is part of CMH’s plan to resume services, which was developed based on numerous national, state and local guidelines. CMH will begin scheduling elective and outpatient procedures for non-high risk patients starting Monday, May 4.
“We are beginning a gradual process of returning to normal operations,” says Gary Fulbright, CEO/executive director of CMH and CMH Foundation. “Over the next few weeks, many of our hospital and clinic services will be returning to more normal business while still adhering to strict safety protocols for employees, patients, residents and visitors.”
The multi-phased approach follows all guidelines by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and additional governmental regulatory agencies and local Polk County plan.
Safety protocols for care include, but are not limited to:
· All employees, patients and visitors entering CMH hospital and clinics will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
· All patients and visitors will be asked to wear a cloth mask. Patients and visitors are encouraged to bring their own masks or will be provided one.
· Employees will wear surgical masks and those in patient care areas will wear other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for patients.
· Visitors will remain prohibited. One support person will be allowed for delivering OB mothers, pediatric (children under the age of 18) patients, patients with confusion, altered mental status or developmental delays, and end-of-life patients.
· Social distancing will be established in public areas. Some clinics may require patients and care givers to wait in their vehicles instead of waiting rooms.
· Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch points and public surface areas will continue.
· Infectious patients will continue to be cared for in isolation, away from non-infectious patients.
CMH long-term care facilities will continue to operate with the current visitor restrictions in place. In compliance with CMS, DHSS and Federal and State guidelines, visits to our long-term care facilities and residential care center are prohibited.
All senior living facilities will continue using enhanced precautionary measures to minimize risk to our residents. Employees will continue to be screened, will continue to wear surgical masks provided by CMH, and residents will be encouraged to wear cloth masks if appropriate.
“We are prepared to pause nonessential surgeries and procedures if there is a surge in the COVID-19 virus,” Fulbright says. “Our top focus will continue to be patient, resident and employee safety and we will remain vigilant and prepared.”
Patients who wish to schedule their elective surgery or procedure should contact their clinic.
