Dear Valued Patient,
We want to share some important information that could be beneficial to your health and wellbeing. On April 22, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom lifted restrictions at hospitals, allowing surgical procedures to resume.
This is welcomed news to many of our patients who have been unnecessarily living in pain or discomfort from issues that can be surgically treated. You can now reach out to your physician to schedule surgery.
Knowing the restrictions would be lifted, but COVID-19 would still be in our communities, we worked hard to ensure that our patients, employees and physicians would all feel safe in the hospital. These are the important measures we put in place, as the safety of all who enter our doors is our number one priority:
- Any person who enters our hospital must have their temperature taken, be free of any COVID-19 symptoms and wear a surgical mask while inside. If fever or symptoms are present, they will be sent home. Patients must also wear a surgical mask at all times (some exceptions apply).
- Surgical patients will be given a COVID-19 test prior to their procedure. If positive, the surgery will be rescheduled to a later date.
- We use a special robot that uses a UV light to kill all germs in patient rooms and surgical suites.
- Every area of the hospital has a hand sanitizer station.
- Surgical or medical patients are kept isolated and on a separate floor from our dedicated COVID-19 unit. COVID-19 patients are quarantined in rooms that have negative airflow pressure and their caregivers follow the strictest precautions, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Non-essential personnel and visitors are not permitted in the hospital. There are some special exceptions to the visitor policy.
- Every night a task force of physician leaders, executives and infection prevention meet at Providence Saint John’s to exam and review all safety and infection prevention strategies. This allows us to be nimble and adjust based on daily census or other factors that might impact workflows.
- The Providence system has a clinical focus group to discuss all aspects of perioperative safety, with over 400 physicians and caregivers attending a teleconference to receive important safety updates from our sister hospitals across the country.
We understand the fear that surrounds COVID-19 but want you to know that all Providence hospitals have been vigilant about the safety of their caregivers and patients.
You have remained patient during this time, delaying a procedure that is going to improve your health and wellbeing. Thank you for being responsible and taking care of others while complying with stay-at-home orders. Now it is time to put you first. We are ready, so let us care for you.
Take care and stay well,
Michael Ricks
Chief Executive
Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Board Chairman, Saint John’s Physician Partners