As we start resuming elective surgeries and procedures, and portions of our in-office care, you may have questions about how we’re keeping our patients and associates safe from COVID-19.
We’re here to calm any anxieties you may have about coming to one of our care sites during this time. Here’s our plan for protecting our community.
How we’re keeping you safe
The health and safety of all of our patients and associates is our priority, which is why we’re taking the following precautions:
- Daily health screening of associates, including temperature monitoring.
- Using hospital-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) that is appropriate for each associate’s role.
- Requiring all associates and providers to wear masks.
- Providing masks for patients and approved visitors.
- Rigorously enforcing hand-washing protocols.
- Reviewing all clinical and operational processes with a team of certified infection prevention specialists to ensure the highest level of safety.
- Cleaning our facilities and medical devices with hospital-grade products approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to kill the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
- Developing innovative ways to limit in-person contact, such as moving monitoring equipment out of patients’ rooms to preserve PPE, and using phone and video interactions, when appropriate.
At this time, we ask that you do not wear your own mask in our facilities. We will provide one to all patients, visitors and support people. The masks provided to you will be hospital-grade and will ensure that you, your family and our associates stay safe.
How we’re social distancing
For your safety, in any temperature check lines, waiting rooms, parking lots and other common areas, we will mark where you should stand or park to keep your distance from others. You’ll see decals and other reminders on floors, chairs, tables and displays throughout our facilities.
As much as possible, your provider and other OhioHealth associates will keep six feet between you. For some procedures, this isn’t possible. In those cases, we may use plastic or plexiglass barriers to separate you from your care team.
In situations that don’t allow for social distancing, your care team will work as quickly as possible to limit close contact. Rest assured, we’re constantly monitoring the well-being of our associates and will not be asking them to come in to work if they meet any of the criteria for COVID-19 symptoms.
OhioHealth Physician Group is continuing to offer telehealth appointments by phone or video to patients who do not need to be treated in person. More than 1,000 OhioHealth primary care and specialist physicians in nearly every medical specialty are caring for patients virtually with telehealth appointments.
Your physician will decide whether a telehealth visit is the best to approach your care, based on your unique needs and medical necessity. If you’ve never had a telehealth appointment, you may have some questions. Here’s what you can expect during a telehealth appointment.
How we are resuming elective surgeries
On May 1, OhioHealth resumed some outpatient surgeries and procedures that do not require an overnight stay. You will receive information directly from your physician’s office about your upcoming procedures, and where to go if you need testing.
If you are scheduled for a surgery or procedure with anesthesia or sedation at an OhioHealth facility, you must be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of your procedure.
At this time, visitor restrictions are not changing. Read more about our visitor policies.
The COVID-19 outbreak changes daily. OhioHealth will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure we are doing everything possible to stop transmission of COVID-19 and keep our patients and associates safe.
