Your Health. Our Heroes.

Your Health and Safety Remain Our #1 Priority

Frequently Asked Questions for Patients

Is the hospital clean and safe?

Our hospital is clean and safe – just like it always has been! One of the core elements of properly managing infectious diseases is the cleanliness of our physical facility. We partner with a national environmental services vendor to keep our hospital current on the most effective cleaning and disinfection protocols available in healthcare today.

Do you have the supplies and capacity to accommodate my procedure?

Our clinical teams will conduct twice daily "go/no-go" meetings in which they will review crucial supplies such as PPE, medications, blood, space, and staffing to ensure that we have enough to comfortably care for those undergoing elective/non-urgent procedures AND accommodate our regular emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.

We are not booking our schedules at total capacity out of an abundance of caution and with the conservation of supplies in mind. Should things continue to progress positively, we'll increase our capacity on a week-by-week basis. This is for your safety and ours.

Do you have enough staff to resume elective/non-urgent procedures?

Our team regularly monitors staffing levels to ensure a safe environment for all patients, providers, and employees. In addition, we screen all employees daily for COVID-19 symptoms. We are confident that we have the appropriate staff and providers to resume elective and non-urgent procedures while accommodating our regular emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.

Will my experience be the same as in the past?

Your experience in our facility may look a little different than in the past, but this is because we have new processes and procedures to protect your health during the COVID-19 pandemic further.

What should I expect during my procedure?

Upon arrival at the facility, you will be asked the same standard screening questions and provided with a mask (if you do not already have one). If you have your own mask or bandana and it covers your mouth and nose, you can wear that.

You will be asked COVID-19 screening questions multiple times by multiple people until you are admitted for your procedure. You may get tired of these questions, but we assure you they are for your health, safety, and our staff's.

You may never see the faces of your care team members under their protective equipment. We regret this, as our connections with our patients and community keep us going. However, this precaution is necessary to protect you and our clinical staff.

What questions will I be asked during the screening?

The questions are part of our standard COVID-19 screening process and include asking if you have….

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Whenever you are asked, please answer these screening questions honestly. If your procedure has to be postponed, it will be just that: postponed. It does NOT mean it will be canceled, and we will work with you to reschedule as soon as possible.

How will I prepare for my procedure?

You must be tested for COVID-19 before your surgical procedure.

Though not a requirement, you will be strongly encouraged to practice "safer at home" behaviors for seven (7) days to minimize potential exposure before your procedure. This means going a step further from social distancing – trying only to leave your home for critical needs such as groceries or going to the pharmacy. If you need to leave for an essential purpose or work, it is strongly recommended that you wear a mask in public settings. Where practicing social/physical distancing is challenging, you should be even more diligent about proper hand hygiene. You will be encouraged to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, including checking your temperature twice a day during these seven days. You should report any result above 100°F to your provider.

If you have an imaging study or interventional radiology procedure, you will be screened and masked but not tested for COVID-19.

Will I be tested for COVID-19?

In most cases, if you are having a surgical procedure, you will be tested for COVID-19 before your procedure.

Can my family member/spouse/friend/caregiver come with me to the facility?

Family members/spouses/friends/caregivers are not currently permitted to enter the hospital. We are still operating under a zero-visitor protocol out of an abundance of caution. When you arrive, you will either park and enter through the Emergency Room entrance or be dropped off by your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver at Emergency Room/Outpatient Services entrance, where they will remain in the car. We will gather their contact information to follow up with them to provide an update after the procedure and share instructions for picking you up.

What happens when I arrive for my procedure?

When you arrive at the facility, you will be asked the same standard screening questions and provided with a  mask (if you do not already have one). If you have your own mask or bandana to cover your mouth and nose, you can wear that.

Will I be treated near COVID-19 patients?

We are currently not performing elective/non-urgent procedures on COVID-19-positive patients.

All patients who test positive for infectious disease, including COVID-19, are isolated for treatment following Wapello County Public Health Department and CDC guidelines. Our hospital has a dedicated isolation unit/wing for treating patients under investigation (PUIs) and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

If I have additional questions about my procedure, who should I contact?

If you have any questions, please call our team at 641-682-7511