With more restrictions being lifted in Georgia, healthcare facilities are providing more services, some of which had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Public Relations Manager Mark Ralston says St. Mary’s Hospital is among those resuming services, with a focus on safety.
“Due to the success of preventative measures to preventive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our region St. Mary’s is going to be taking steps to safely accommodate ongoing patient needs, including elective surgeries, tests and procedures, and patient visitation" Ralston said. "In fact, we’ve already started many of these measures.”
Ralston says it’s important that people seek treatment, attend screenings and keep their doctors’ appointments to address medical issues aa soon as possible.
“We want patients to have confidence to not delay care they need and certainly don't want them to wait until their disease progresses to the point of a crisis state."
The hospital is implementing several safety procedures aimed at keep patients, staff and others safe.
“We’re asking everyone who comes into St. Mary’s to go through a process for screening for signs of illness, including fever. We’re requiring everyone who enters the building to wear masks at all times. And we’re creating COVID-free zones, which are areas where staff provide care only for people not known to have COVID-19 symptoms.”
St. Mary’s is also allowing patients to have one visitor a day, but they must also go through the screening process. Virtual visits are also being scheduled.
