Pittsburg hospital responds aggressively to COVID-19
Visitation measures updated . . . .
Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg continues to aggressively respond to the evolving Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.
In response to an increase in individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in our community, beginning at 7 p.m. today, Monday, Oct. 5. Hospital leadership has decided to resume more heightened visitation measures to protect patients, visitors, caregivers and associates at hospital and clinic locations in Pittsburg and Fort Scott.
Those measures, effective 7 p.m. today, include:
- Restricting visitors; no visitors will be allowed for inpatient medical/surgical and critical care patients or in the Emergency Department.
- Exceptions: one visitor per patient (no visitors under age 18) for OB/Labor and Delivery patients, pediatric patients, and surgical patients on the day of their procedure.
- Door screening will continue for everyone entering the hospital through limited entrances (West Patient Entrance, Surgery Center Entrance and Emergency Entrance) and at off-site clinics and therapy centers.
- Anyone who affirms that they have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing will be asked not to visit and should return when he or she is no longer symptomatic. They also will be advised to consider a virtual visit through Facebook, Skype or other online platforms.
- Those who are approved to visit will be asked to limit their movement within the hospital to and from the patient’s room.
“As we have seen an increase in COVID-19-positive patients in Pittsburg and the surrounding areas, we have made the decision to restrict visitor access in our hospital, clinics and therapy centers,” said Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “This decision was made to help ensure the safety of our associates and patients.”
Leaders at Ascension Via Christi continue to be in close communication with community physicians, local task force and the Crawford and Bourbon county health departments to help coordinate activities and share knowledge, he added.