Preventative Care During Pandemic: Safe and Smart
The last several months have been unprecedented times for our nation’s healthcare system. The COVID-19 global pandemic has led to changes in many hospitals, like restricted visitor policies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.
What has not changed at Conway Medical Center is our commitment to the safety of our patients and staff. From the beginning of this crisis, the leadership team at CMC has met daily, often more than once a day, to assess needs, respond to the current situation, and make extensive plans for the future. As that happens, it is important for patients to also plan for their future and continue to see their healthcare providers for preventative screenings and treatments at Conway Medical Center.
When the COVID-19 crisis began, the fear was that the hospitals in this country would become overwhelmed with patients. At Conway Medical Center so far, that has not been the case.
“Any infections are bad, but the first wave of this has not been as bad as what we were prepared for. Which has been a welcomed surprise, and I really think it’s because of the things we’ve been able to put into place to do to protect our patients and staff,” said Dr. Paul Richardson, Chief Medical Officer at CMC. Still, to ensure the numbers do not become too taxing on our healthcare system, Dr. Richardson stresses the importance of continuing social distancing and hand washing, as those are the keys to preventing the spread of the virus.
Important Screening Procedures at all CMC locations
Everyone who enters any Conway Medical Center facility, whether it is the main hospital building or an off-campus provider office is screened following all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That screening includes a temperature check for fever as well as questions that include potential exposure to COVID-19, recent travel history, and possible symptoms of the coronavirus. Employees are screened every day before being allowed into any building to go to work. All patients are screened as well. Those who may show symptoms of COVID-19, including those who enter through the Emergency Department for treatment, are separated and isolated so they are not in contact with patients who are there for non-COVID-19 related medical issues. Conway Medical Center has a universal masking policy in place, which means everyone in any of the CMC facilities, staff included, must wear a face mask at all times.
Health Screenings Remain Crucial
As we move forward during this pandemic, Dr. Richardson wants patients to recognize the importance of continued regular healthcare screenings. He says fear has led some patients to put off these potentially life-saving doctors’ visits. “Preventive medicine has not changed and has not become less critical. The woman who needs her screening mammogram, the man who needs his blood pressure medicine, those requirements have not changed. Those conditions haven’t gone away, and the risk for these diseases and the importance of catching them early hasn’t changed, so that is still key, and I want patients to know it is safe to come to Conway Medical Center and to our provider practices for treatment and your medical needs.”
Precautions like the employee and patient screenings, universal masking policy, and visitor restrictions are not the only steps being taken to ensure safety. Staff continuously clean high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and elevator buttons. As we look to the future, be assured CMC will continue to put the utmost importance and priority on patient safety and care.
Primary Relationship
Do you know the value of a relationship with a primary care provider? Establishing a primary care provider leads to great benefits for your health! Need to find a primary care office? Click here to find a location near you.
