Submitted by Providence Medical Group
At Providence, safety is our priority. We are taking extra precautions in light of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19 or exposing patients, their visitors and our caregivers, we have modified our visitation policy at Providence St. Peter and Centralia Hospital. This allows us to promote safety, and conserve supplies needed to treat and control the spread of infectious disease. This new policy will be effective until further notice. We are monitoring this matter closely and will make adjustments, as necessary.
We understand the importance of seeing loved ones while they are receiving care, and know the value visitors bring to our patients. However, during this time, we encourage our patients and their loved ones to communicate more through phone and video calls. If our patients don’t have video capabilities on their personal devices, we will attempt to make this technology available upon request during their stay.
Visitor restrictions include:
- No more than two visitors in the hospital at a time per patient.
- Please don’t wait to visit in waiting rooms we are asking visitors not to congregate in public areas. Plan ahead and stagger visiting times.
- Visitors with respiratory conditions or fever will not be allowed.
- Limit visitors to immediate family only.
- Visitors must be age 18 or older.
- All public meetings and gatherings at Providence facilities have been canceled.
You can protect yourself from COVID-19 infection the same ways you protect against the common cold or seasonal flu:
- Clean your hands. Alcohol gel works well in most situations, but hand washing with soap and water for 20-30 seconds, should be performed after going to the bathroom, before eating, or when your hands are visibly soiled.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Then perform hand hygiene. (Putting a tissue on a table contaminates the surface of the table with germs.)
- Routinely disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, using a cleaning spray or wipe.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practice social distancing.
- Stay home when you are sick.
At our Providence Medical Group Clinics, we are also taking extra precautions in light of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All primary care patient appointments are being contacted by MA/RN phone calls asking the screening questions prior to arrival. If the patient needs triage, the call is routed to a RN to triage and give recommendations. Voicemails are left if we are not able to reach the patient asking the patient to contact the centralized triage nurse prior to coming in for the appt. If patients are negative for screening but have respiratory symptoms and insists on being seen, they are instructed to mask upon entry into the clinic and to remain masked throughout the entire visit.
Currently, we have two triage RNs taking calls. Any patient who calls the call center with respiratory symptoms is routed to the RN to triage. We are strongly encouraging all patients to treat symptomatically at home if possible and isolate themselves. Do not go to work sick or attend public gatherings if symptomatic.
At the Providence Community Care Center, the social service hub in downtown Olympia serving the homeless population, will be closing the day room and outdoor space portion of the center, effective March 17, until further notice. After special consideration and discussion with our Thurston County Health Department, we feel it is necessary to do our part to limit public gatherings and support social distancing.
Providence will continue offering mental health and medication services to the vulnerable population who a currently receiving services at the center. This service will be provided by appointment only. No new individuals will be accepted for appointments at this time. We will be screening patients at the door and will only permit access to an appointment, if individual does not have symptoms of infectious disease.
These are necessary steps to promote safety and limit the public gathering at all Providence facilities. We will continue to disinfect all areas of the center, and insist guests use proper hand hygiene as they enter the building for appointments.
We will not be actively testing for COVID-19 at the Providence Community Care Center. If a guest presents who does have symptoms we are partnering with the Thurston County Public Health to put a plan in place to help meet the need for testing homeless in our community.
We are monitoring this matter closely and will make adjustments, as necessary. We appreciate your help in keeping our patients, caregivers and community safe. We expect we will put additional precautions in place over the next few weeks and we will continue to update media outlets as well as the public as the information becomes available.
The latest information can be found on www.providence.org/swupdate.
