Hospitals, doctors taking many precautions in the new normal of healthcare

To say the last few weeks have been tough on us all would be a strong understatement. We have all been greatly affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic, and each of us has taken measures to protect ourselves, our families, friends and loved ones. This has been an unprecedented time, and like you, our health care system has taken measures to ensure that we continue to be prepared to protect our health care workers and provide patients with the safest care.

One of the toughest challenges health care systems have faced was having to temporarily pause routine patient care services and elective procedures. Many moved to virtual care services to ensure patients still received timely and safe care. Some patients, though, still needed ambulatory care services, such as diagnostic and cardiac imaging, radiology testing, mammography screening, cardiac rehabilitation or elective procedures like colonoscopies.

These are important services that patients need for pain management, to treat conditions or to prevent a condition from worsening. Hitting pause on those services was in the best interest of patients and our community.

We appreciate the community support for health care workers as they worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to provide care. We are so fortunate to be part of a community that encourages one another, especially during these uncertain times.

Serving our community is our calling. With the governor’s recent announcement for a gradual reopening of health care facilities, we look forward to once again offer all the services our community needs. We are getting back to what our mission calls us to do each day and helping our patients, community and each other.

While many may be hesitant about visiting their physician or resuming procedures at this time, your health should continue to be your top priority. Now is not the time to put off care. Like other health systems, we have added new precautions to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff members. Staff and patients undergo screenings, including temperature checks, when they walk through the doors. In physician offices, patients may be asked to wait in their vehicles until the time of their appointments. Those coming in for elective invasive procedures will be tested for the novel coronavirus prior to their appointments.

To ensure social distancing, hospitals and physician offices are sticking with a very restrictive visitor policy for the health and safety of patients, staff and community. Virtual visits will also continue for those electing to seek care from home.

This pandemic may have transformed how we provide care, but it hasn’t affected our calling to serve each and every one of you. This pandemic continues to strengthen our dedication to our community.

During this extraordinary time, we want you to know we are here for you and thank you for the support you have shown our health care facilities and staff members. You provided our teams with masks, face shields, meals, hand sanitizer, prayers and more, and these acts of kindness did not go unnoticed.

We are proud to be part of a wonderful community that supports its health care workers and thank you for your compassion shown to our team during this pandemic. We look forward to seeing you again soon as services resume and we begin returning to a new kind of normal.

Dan Goulson, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer of CHI Saint Joseph Health.