Evanston Regional Hospital Resumes Services Previously Restricted due to COVID-19
Evanston Regional Hospital will resume services that had previously been restricted due to the coronavirus outbreak. A phased reactivation has begun in accordance with Wyoming Department of Health guidelines.
“Like so many hospitals across the country, we have focused our services on the pandemic while managing the financial pressures associated with pausing elective procedures,” said Cheri Willard, CEO. “But unlike hospitals in more populated regions, we have treated very few COVID-19 cases and look forward to resuming our full range of essential services.”
The hospital’s reactivation plan includes all hospital and clinic service lines, including surgical procedures, outpatient surgical clinics, imaging centers, lab services, and primary care clinics. To meet state guidelines and requirements on personal protective equipment (PPE) supply, infection control, and support services, patients must test negative for COVID-19, four days prior to a scheduled procedure and self-quarantine until the day of surgery after being tested.
“The hospital has always had stringent infection control protocols in place, and we’ve enhanced those precautions in light of COVID-19,” said Angie Foster, CNO/ER Services Director. “It’s important that we get back to taking care of community members who are waiting to take care of sometimes painful conditions. We’re ready to safely welcome patients for those postponed surgeries or medical issues.”
“And while we cautiously look ahead to the next few weeks and months, Uinta and Rich County community members are encouraged to continue seeking health care, especially when a medical emergency arises,” said Cheri Willard, CEO. “In a concerning trend, 29% of adults who responded to a recent American College of Emergency Physicians poll said they had avoided medical care because they were concerned about contracting COVID-19.”
Evanston Regional Hospital remains committed to protecting the safety of patients, employees and visitors. Employees wear personal protective equipment and are temperature screened prior to entering the facility and interacting with patients.
Positive patients or those displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and awaiting test results are isolated in separate care areas from non-Covid-19 positive patients. Individuals who think they may have COVID-19 or have been exposed are still encouraged to utilize the hospital’s curbside screening program in the Emergency Department parking lot. Curbside screening minimizes the number of people and places a potential COVID-19 patient interacts with. Medicare and most insurance plans accepted.
“We understand how a global pandemic of this nature raises concerns and fear in people,” said Angie Foster. “We want our community to be assured we continue to be vigilant in our implementation of infection prevention protocols and are here to care for you in a safe environment. Please do not hesitate to seek care.”