Effective March 17, Grant Regional Health Center is implementing changes within the hospital in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are taking proactive steps to protect patients, healthcare providers and the community, and monitoring ongoing COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), county and state officials.
Entrance Changes:
To protect our patients and staff, we must manage their exposure to any illnesses that are easily spread, therefore are limiting entrances to the hospital and clinic to three entrances including: Emergency Entrance, Rehab Entrance and lower level entrance for Specialty/Therapeutic Services/Fuerste Eye Clinic. The Main Entrance to the hospital will be temporarily closed until further notice.
Visitor Restrictions:
In addition, we have implemented visitor restrictions effective March 17 at Noon. We ask for everyone to follow these guidelines:
- Visitors must check in at ER Registration and are required to wear a visitor badge.
- Only ONE visitor is allowed per hospital patient within a 24 hour period. Visitors must be ages 12 and older.
- OB/Surgery patients are allowed one support person. Two parents are allowed for pediatric patients.
- Please do not visit patients if you are experiencing any symptoms including fever or persistent cough or have traveled recently.
- Visiting hours will be limited to 7 AM—7 PM for Med/Surg patients.
- Additional visitors will not be permitted to wait in public areas of the hospital.
- Family/friends are encouraged to call their loved ones, Facetime/Skype and also use our online greeting card program. Go to our website at https://bit.ly/2Ui0aVy.
Visitors for emergent and end-of-life situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. All restrictions are temporary and may change as we monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s important to take these precautions to ensure the health of our patients, visitors, health care providers and communities,” said Dave Smith, President/CEO of Grant Regional Health Center. “We have implemented our emergency response team and are working diligently to ensure a rapid response to the quickly changing situation and above all, provide a safe place for our patients to receive high quality care.”
Cancellations/Postponements:
We will be cancelling, postponing and/or rescheduling upcoming community events and training at this time. Please watch our website/Facebook for notices about specific classes and information. Here is the list to date of cancellations/postponements:
- Blood Drive March 18 – relocated to Schreiner Memorial Library (only open for blood drive)
- Grant Regional cafeteria – closed to the public until further notice effective 3.19.20
- The Perfect Blend Coffee Co. – closed to the public until further notice effective 3.19.20
- Grant Regional Therapeutic Services - closed until further notice effective 3.19.20
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab – cancelled until further notice
- Senior Wellness/Phase III – cancelled until further notice
- Clinic online scheduling through MyChart - cancelled until further notice
- Diabetes Support Group (monthly) – cancelled until further notice
- Pulmonary Function Testing – cancelled until further notice
- Community classes: Movin’ On and Physical Activity for Lifelong Success series – postponed
- Clinical training at Grant Regional TNCC, PALS, CPR - postponed
- Auxiliary Gift Shop – temporarily closed until further notice
- Volunteer services at hospital – temporarily on hold
- Auxiliary Book Fair, March 23 - postponed
- Diabetes Alert Day, Screenings, March 19, 24, 25 – cancelled
- Weight Watchers at Grant Regional – cancelled through April 1
- Childbirth Education, April 4 - postponed
- Men’s Health Night, April 8 – postponed
- Al-Anon at Grant Regional – cancelled through April 16
Grant Regional Health Center is collaborating with local health organizations to prepare and be ready to serve our communities if this should enter our communities. We are developing plans to provide off-site testing and more information will be coming out soon to keep you informed of these changes.
We encourage our patients and surrounding communities to know what to do regarding the COVID-19. While there are currently no confirmed cases in Grant County, we understand there is increasing number of cases in Wisconsin and feel it is important for the public to be well informed about this developing situation. It is important that you be informed about steps that you can take to prevent the spread of this virus and lessen the impact on our region.
Important Steps to Stop the Spread:
- Most importantly, if you are experiencing symptoms including fever or persistent cough – please call first before you present to the hospital or clinic. You can call our 24 hour phone number (608) 723-2143 for more information or questions.
- Expect to be asked questions related to symptoms or travel if you are making an appointment.
- Follow respiratory hygiene procedures at clinics and hospitals. If entering healthcare facilities with a cough or other symptoms, you may be asked to wear a mask and disinfect your hands.
- Please don’t insist on testing; your provider will determine if you need tested. Testing priority will be given to those with symptoms, risk factors and meet criteria.
- Cover your cough—even at home. Cough/sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover your mouth.
- Use general prevention. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands appropriately.
- We encourage when possible, to please stay home. Avoid large crowds and public events.
To ensure the sickest people receive care, help minimize the spread of infection and maintain resources, we ask that you please call (608) 723-2143 before seeking care at our hospital or clinic. However, our ER is available 24 hours a day, if you feel you require emergency medical attention. For the latest, up-to-date information about the coronavirus, you can go to www.cdc.gov. For more information specific to Grant Regional, follow us on Facebook or visit our website at www.grantregional.com