On Wednesday, April 22nd, the Governor announced a phased-in approach to
reopening the state. The Montana Hospital Association (MHA) supported
this approach and encouraged hospitals to develop strategies to return
to doing elective surgeries and procedures as long as hospitals have adequate
protective equipment for staff and appropriate patient and procedure testing
protocols in place. “When these announcements came out, we were
ready,” said John Bishop, CEO of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital.
“We are open to service the needs of Ravalli County. Over the past
few months, we have taken hundreds of measures to ensure the safety of
our staff and patients and continue to monitor our personal protective
equipment levels daily. As the Governor continues to phase-in reopening,
and CDC releases new guidelines, your hospital continues to adhere to
the protocols required to deliver care. You must know that the safety
of our patients and staff is our utmost priority.”
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, the
medical clinics, outpatient services and the
surgery,
rehabilitation and
hospice centers provide safe facilities and access to care. Services are open because
of the many measures taken to provide safe facilities and care.
Marcus Daly
primary care clinics throughout the Bitterroot Valley are open. Whether its for adult preventative
care, pediatrics, women's health, or behavioral health our primary
care clinics from
Victor to
Darby are safe, open, and ready to care for all patients.
Below are some of the many processes in place:
-
Respiratory Services – A separate clinical location has been set up for patients with
respiratory signs and symptoms to receive care. This service offers medical advice and direct rooming;
there is no waiting area and is currently seeing an average of ten patients
per day. Care for patients with respiratory symptoms is in this one clinic
location, keeping other clinics free of patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
-
Daly Connect, Telehealth Services – A safe and secure way for you to access your healthcare provider.
Over 550 patients have received care through
Daly Connect already!
-
Surgical Procedures – We are taking all necessary protection equipment and sterilization
precautions, patients are pre-screened prior to surgery and
our surgery center has a negative air pressure room. These steps make it safe for us to provide
surgeries when needed.
-
Screening Process and Universal Masking – Visitor restrictions are in place, complimented by a thorough
screening process at all MDMH facility entrances. It includes 6ft distancing,
masking, questions regarding signs and symptoms, and exposures and a temperature
check. When entering hospital facilities, anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms
is triaged appropriately.
- If you have a scheduled appointment, please wear your mask. This helps
us conserve personal protective equipment.
-
Social Distancing – Measures are in place to keep a minimum of 6ft distance during
registration, in waiting rooms, and are encouraged in public areas and
whenever possible.
-
Patient Care – Scheduled appointments are staggered to reduce crowding, and the
patient's risk level determines the delivery and location of care.
-
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Daily tracking of PPE inventory and consumption levels is ongoing.
We have been able to secure PPE and have been receiving partial supply
orders; this allows us to provide surgical procedures.
- In an effort to conserve PPE, we are continuing to accept donations, including
cloth face masks.
-
Facility Changes and Enhanced Cleaning – Furniture has been moved, and flooring marked in waiting and patient
care areas to accommodate social distancing. Space has been added into
patient scheduling to allow for enhanced area wipe downs at registration,
as well as in waiting, clinical and restroom areas.
Each one of us plays a critical role in maintaining and restoring the health
of our community, which includes your local hospital. We are here to provide
you the care you need, feel free to call to schedule an appointment today.
Our commitment to you is to continue to provide quality, accessible, personalized
healthcare.
Visit
MDMH.org for more information.
Thank you,
Hospital Incident Management Team
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital
1200 Westwood Drive
Hamilton MT, 50940
www.MDMH.org/COVID-19