Masks required: And it works

Indiana and Ohio are now mandating masks as COVID-19 numbers trend upward again. Scientific studies are backing up their effectiveness. However, vented masks are not effective in protecting against COVID. So Reid Health is joining other health care organizations in only allowing non-vented masks to be worn in Reid facilities.

If you visit a Reid property, you must wear approved masks as follows:

Mask Up Hoosiers

As Indiana gets Back On Track, it's very important to continue prioritizing safety precautions and healthy habits to protect our neighbors. Wearing a mask helps prevent someone who unknowingly has COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.

Download and print this sign, fill in who you wear your mask for and take a photo of you in your mask holding your sign. we encourage you to also post your masked selfie to your social media and include the hashtag #MaskUpHoosiers.

As you consider scheduling in-person appointments and procedures--including surgeries-- we wanted to share how we will maintain your safety when you visit any Reid Health facility.

Our teams on the main campuses in Richmond and Connersville and in all of our physician offices are extremely experienced in dealing with infectious disease. You can be assured we are taking every step to ensure your safety as we begin a return to more of a normal operation. We will continue offering telehealth visits and also are still limiting visitors on campus as outlined below. Please: NEVER delay care for fear of COVID-19.

Plans for our physician practices:

• To limit traffic in waiting rooms, we will check you in from your car when possible. When you arrive, please call the office. If you do not have a cell phone, alert our door screeners. We will have you enter when an exam room is ready.
• In most cases, only the patient will be allowed to enter. For children and adult patients who require a support person, one adult may accompany the patient.
• All patients and their support person (if allowed) must wear a mask throughout the entire visit. Cloth or other home-made masks are acceptable. If you arrive without a mask, we will provide one.
• All providers and staff will wear masks during all patient encounters.
• Patients will be asked to complete paperwork in their car when possible.
• We are performing diligent hand washing and extra cleaning precautions of surfaces and instruments
• All exam room doors will be kept closed
• Magazines, toys and other "touchable" items have been removed from our waiting areas and exam rooms.
• All patients and their support person will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Prior to your appointment, office staff will assess your needs by phone to determine if an in-person visit is your best option. In many cases, a telemedicine visit is still a great option.

In the news: Reid Health receives an "A" for safety

We recognize the positive impact a loved one's support can have on a patient's physical and emotional well-being and recovery. With safety as our top priority, Reid Health has established this Visitor Policy and Screening Procedure.

• Emergency Department
• Hospitalized stay
• Outpatient procedures/testing
• Physician office visit

The following exceptions apply:

End of Life situations Loved ones will be permitted to interact with the patient provided appropriate safety measures are in place. Even with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), loved ones should understand the risk of contracting COVID-19 if interacting with a COVID-19 positive or suspected COVID-19 patient.

Note: In end of life situations, groups of family members will be allowed to gather in areas such as the cafeteria, available classrooms, and Lingle Hall. This will be managed by the House Supervisor. Visitor Requirements & Responsibilities still apply.

Maternity patients One additional support person, such as a doula, will be permitted.

Minor maternity patients (under 18 years of age) A parent or guardian will also be permitted.

Minor patients (under 18 years of age) may have (2) visitors in the Emergency Department and inpatient setting, but this is limited to only parents or guardians.

Special assistance Patients who require assistance due to mobility, reorienting/confusion, interpretation, court-ordered, or healthcare decision making may have one (1) additional assistance person.

Visitor Restrictions

• No visitation is permitted for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients out of concern for the safety of our patients, visitors and staff.
• Technology such as a smartphone or tablet will be utilized to promote patient interaction with their loved ones.

Visitor Requirements & Responsibilities

To be admitted as a visitor, you must:

• Screen negative for COVID-19 with no symptoms or elevated temperature in accordance with Reid's screening procedure. If visitor's temperature is greater than or equal to 99.6 using the no-touch digital thermometer, or visitors have had symptoms of COVID-19, they will not be permitted to enter.
• Agree to wear a mask/facial covering that covers both their mouth and nose while in common areas of the facility, such as hallways, public restrooms, retail establishments, and cafeteria.

Note: The mask may be removed while in the patient's room provided the visitor remains 6 feet away from the patient and replaces it if a caregiver enters the room.

• Wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon entry and exit and frequently while visiting
• Maintain 6 feet of social distance.

Visitors who are not able to comply with these restrictions and responsibilities will be asked to leave.

Screening Procedure

All people entering any Reid Health facility (except Emergency Department patients) will be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

As a patient, you will be asked:

Are you seeking emergency care or treatment?

• If yes, you will be provided a mask if you do not have one. You will be directed immediately to the ED Triage window.
• If no, or not applicable as in an office settings, you will be asked to sanitize your hands, put on a mask, have your temperature taken and answer the following questions:

Do you have a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?

Do you have chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell?

If your temperature is greater than or equal to 99.6°F using a digital no-touch thermometer and you answer yes to the above questions, you may be symptomatic for COVID-19. You will be informed of the screening failure and asked to keep your mask over your nose and mouth, refrain from touching anything, and maintain a social distance of 6 feet from others.

As a visitor or person accompanying a patient, you will be asked to:

Sanitize your hands, put on a mask, have your temperature taken, and answer these questions:

• Do you have a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
• Do you have chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell?

If you have a cough, shortness of breath AND a temperature greater than or equal to 99.6°F, and one of any of the other symptoms, you will not be permitted to enter. You will be informed of the screening failure and encouraged to seek care.

If you do not exhibit any symptoms, you will be provided a cloth mask and expected to follow the Visitor Requirements & Responsibilities. If you do not comply with the Visitor Requirements & Responsibilities, you will be asked to leave.

Deliveries

Floral, balloon, and food deliveries will be accepted by the door screener. Door screeners will receive and coordinate with staff of the intended delivery site to complete the delivery.

Patient belongings that are being dropped off will be accepted by the door screener and taken by the transporter to the unit where the patient is located.

Community-made masks will be accepted by door screeners at the Outpatient Care Center/Main Entrance (Valet Parking Office) and Connersville Emergency Department, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/…/prevent…/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Details: Donation of hand-made masks - information HERE

Reid Health COVID-19 Dashboard

• Lab-confirmed positive*: 364
• Patients in containment areas: 31
• Total tests submitted: 8,180

As of 8/13/2020. "> * ISDH and independent lab tests; includes inpatient, outpatient, and ED testing to date

What to do if you have respiratory symptoms or fear exposure to COVID-19:

• Call the Reid Health Respiratory Clinic hotline at 765-965-4200 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat.) for consultation and possible appointment; OR log into the Reid HealthNOW virtual app for COVID-19 screening/consultation during same hours.

• Appointments can be made using either of these options to be assessed at the Respiratory Clinic, 1501 Chester Boulevard, Richmond. Remember: patients MUST have an appointment.