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Protecting the patients

Hospital, care centers initiate visitor restrictions

By Kelby Wingert 5 min read

As of Thursday evening, there have been no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Hamilton County. However, local medical care facilities are asking visitors to stay home for now to lessen the risk of exposing patients and residents to COVID-19.

Southfield Wellness Community in Webster City is following all Centers for Disease Control recommendations, including restricting entrances to the main entrance, which is locked with a doorbell to be let in.

"Unfortunately, we have had to cut visitors from coming in," said Stacy Wardell, the human relations supervisor for Southfield Wellness Community.

Until further notice, only essential personnel will be allowed into the building. And when they arrive, they will be screened for symptoms and have their temperature taken, as well as have their hands washed at a washing station. As long as they have no fever or symptoms and have not been out of the country in the past 14 days, those essential personnel will be allowed in.

"We're just protecting our residents and that's what we need to do," Wardell said. "Taking care of our residents and staff is our No. 1 priority. No matter what we have to do, we're going to take care of them."

Stratford Specialty Care has also restricted visitors for its residents.

"We're trying to reduce the number of people that are coming in and out of our doors," said Jason Brady, spokesman for Care Initiatives, which owns Stratford Specialty Care. "The whole reason for that is we believe the fewer individuals coming into the building from the outside will lower the risk of exposure to any type of virus, including influenza and COVID-19."

Care Initiatives is also screening all individuals who do enter its facilities for symptoms and travel history.

"The goal is to reduce and prevent the amount of potential exposure for our residents," Brady said.

Brady noted that while some residents and family members may be upset at the inability to receive visitors right now, the facility has the residents' best interests in mind.

"Obviously some people are inconvenienced or they're disappointed they won't be able to see their loved one quite as often as they use to, but we're trying to keep people aware that this is just temporary and we're really looking out for their loved one," he said.

Although in-person visits are restricted due to COVID-19, Brady said that Stratford Specialty Care is offering alternative ways for family members to communicate with residents, when possible.

"If anyone is interested, they are able to contact the building and we will try our best to arrange a FaceTime or Skype-type visit during this time," he said.

Family members can call the Stratford Specialty Care at 515-838-2795.

Since the start of influenza season this winter, Van Diest Medical Center has had visitor restriction guidelines posted around the hospital. In light of the COVID-19 risks, the hospital has decided to keep those restrictions in place for now.

Under the restrictions, patients in isolation are limited to two visitors, while emergency department patients are limited to one visitor and pediatric patients are limited to parents and grandparents.

No visitors under 18 are allowed during this time.

All visitors should be healthy and wash hands frequently with soap and water.

All patients entering the hospital for any department are being screened for symptoms, recent travel history and exposure to infected individuals, said Lori Foster, public relations director for VDMC. Masking, isolation and testing will occur as appropriate.

Local residents who are concerned they may have contracted the COVID-19 virus should call the Van Diest Family Health Clinic at 515-832-7800 for further screening and direction.

Hand sanitizing stations and face masks are available at the entrances and in every department at the hospital.

"There's changes occurring daily and updates throughout the day," Foster said. "I think the best way to really relieve some of that fear and panic is to provide information and communication, so that's what we're trying to do with our communities and with our staff."

VDMC has a team of several different departments that are meeting daily to discuss updates and changes with the COVID-19 virus and the hospital's response, in order to keep everyone on the same page.

With things changing every day, and sometimes several times a day, Amy McDonough, VDMC chief nursing officer, said the key to keeping people calm is communication.

"Trying to make sure people are informed so that they don't panic," she said. "Iowa is very much a low-risk state. Yes, we do have some cases here, but we are definitely low-risk. If you are smart and socially isolate, don't go into places with big groups and are smart about people who are already sick or are showing symptoms so that we don't continue to spread. I think those are key things to do."

On Thursday afternoon, the Iowa Department of Public Health released its mass gathering recommendations during this COVID-19 outbreak, saying that there is currently no known community spread of the virus in Iowa and the IDPH is not making any recommendations to cancel planned events and mass gatherings at this time.

"This is, however, a very fluid situation and we urge the public to closely monitor messaging from the Iowa Department of Public Health for updated guidance," said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, IDPH medical director and state epidemiologist.

Updates on the COVID-19 virus can be found on the IDPH website, www.idph.iowa.gov.

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