Newman Regional Health is instituting further preventive measures to help protect staff, patients, guests and community members alike.
Beginning Monday, registration staff and nurses will be conducting screenings for all patients and visitors prior to appointments or before entering the hospital. The screening process will consist of the following questions:
1. Are you experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath?
2. Have you traveled outside the state within the last 2 weeks?
3. Have you traveled to any of the following countries: China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Europe?
4. Have you been notified that you were in close contact with a person who tested positive for or is currently being tested for COVID-19?
Newman spokesperson McKenzie Cinelli says beginning the process at the door is vital as they cannot allow visitors to enter the building and reach their destination before ensuring they are clear of any potential risk.
Along with the survey, Newman will also be implementing the following visitation restrictions effective Monday. Visitation hours will be from 10 am to 6 pm with visitations limited to one person at a time for a period of 30-minutes or less. There will be no visitors allowed in same day surgery, operating rooms or cath lab recovery areas and visitors in the Emergency Room and Express Care will only be permitted under special circumstances.
Additionally, the hospital will be placing special signage and phones at information desks to contact the hospital operator for assistance in locating family members currently in the care of the hospital.
Separately, the hospital is also announcing some closures at this time:
* Fiscal affairs/billing office closed to the public until further notice. Recommended for patients to pay their bill online at www.NewmanRH.org/billpay, maill payments or call 620-343-6800 and ask to speak with a representative in billing.
*Snack bar and Gift Shoppe closed until further notice.
The hospital also continues to ask that any and all visitors call the hospital, Express Care and Emergency Department prior to visiting to help successfully implement the new screening process. Cinelli says additional restrictions could be coming in the next few days, however, at this time the hospital is taking a day-by-day observational approach to the situation.
