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Your Health, Our Heroes

Frequently Asked Questions for Patients

Is the hospital clean and safe? 

Our hospital is clean and safe -- just like it always has been! One of the core elements of properly managing infectious diseases is the cleanliness of our physical facility. Our Housekeeping team uses EPA approved disinfection products to clean and disinfect all surfaces and areas. They utilize infection prevention practices through hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces, and ensuring adequate inventory levels of hand sanitizer. Housekeeping ensures all public areas and all high touch surfaces are disinfected at least daily, with high volume areas disinfected multiple times daily. They monitor all cleaning, waste management, and linen utilization. Housekeeping continually monitors PPE usage, appropriate disinfectants, and cleaning procedures to keep the hospital safe for our patients as well as all staff and visitors. 

Our mechanical Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems have high levels of filtration to eliminate most airborne contaminants. The hospital has several negative air pressure isolation rooms for any patient suspected of a contagious disease, including COVID-19. In addition, we’ve modified many other rooms which can be converted to a negative air pressure isolation room in minutes if needed. The negative pressurization draws air into the room from the corridor, preventing any contaminated air from going back to the corridor. This air is exhausted directly to the outside, where it is sufficiently diluted.

Do you have the supplies and capacity to accommodate my procedure? 

Our clinical teams will conduct daily "go/no-go" meetings in which they will review crucial supplies such as PPE, medications, blood, space, and staffing to ensure that we have enough to comfortably care for those undergoing time-sensitive, non-urgent procedures AND accommodate our normal emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.

We are not booking our schedules to full capacity. Out of an abundance of caution and with the conservation of supplies in mind, we are not starting with a full schedule right away. Should things continue to progress positively, we'll increase our capacity on a week-by-week basis. This is for your safety and ours.

Do you have enough staff to resume time-sensitive, non-urgent procedures?

Our team regularly monitors staffing levels to ensure a safe environment for all patients, providers, and employees. In addition, we screen all employees daily for COVID-19 symptoms. We are confident that we have the appropriate staff and providers to resume time-sensitive and non-urgent procedures while also accommodating our normal emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients. 

Will my experience be the same as in the past? 

Your experience in our facility may look a little different than in the past, but this is because we have new processes and procedures in place to further protect your health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What should I expect during my procedure?

Upon arrival at the facility, you will be asked the same standard screening questions and provided with a mask (if you do not already have one). If you have your own mask or bandana to cover your mouth and nose, you can wear that. 

You may never see another patient while you are here, and that is intentional for now. We are currently trying to minimize overlap in an effort to promote social distancing, conserve resources, and protect the safety of all of our patients and employees.

You are going to be asked COVID-19 screening questions multiple times by multiple people, up until you are admitted for your procedure. You may get tired of these questions, but we assure you they are for your health and safety, and that of our staff. 

You may never see the faces of your care team members under their protective equipment. We do regret this, as the personal connections we have with our patients and community are what keep us going. However, this is an important precaution we are taking to protect you and our clinical staff.

What questions will I be asked during the screening? 

The questions are part of our standard COVID-19 screening process and include asking if you have....

  • Cough 
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

  • Fever 
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

Whenever you are asked, please answer these screening questions honestly. If your procedure has to be postponed, it will be just that: postponed. It does NOT mean it will be canceled, and we will work with you to reschedule as soon as possible.

How will I prepare for my procedure? 

If you are having a surgical procedure, you will be asked to practice "safer at home" behaviors for seven (7) days to minimize potential exposure prior to your procedure. This means going a step further from social distancing -- trying only to leave your home for critical needs such as groceries or going to the pharmacy. If you need to leave for an essential purpose, you must wear a mask. You also will be asked to check your temperature twice a day during this seven-day period and report any result above 100°F to your provider. Finally, you will be tested for COVID-19 prior to your procedure as an additional precaution.

If you are having an imaging procedure, you will be screened and masked, but not tested for COVID-19.

Will I be tested for COVID-19? 

If you are having a surgical procedure, you will be tested for COVID-19 prior to your procedure. Your provider will place the order for the test, and the hospital will reach out with instructions for scheduling. If your test happens to be positive, your procedure will be postponed, and you will be given instructions related to your care. If you are having an imaging procedure, you will be screened and masked, but not tested for COVID-19.

What happens when I arrive for my procedure? 

When you arrive at the facility, you will be asked the same standard screening questions and provided with a mask (if you do not already have one). If you have your own mask or bandana to cover your mouth and nose, you can wear that.

Can my family member/spouse/friend/caregiver come with me to the facility?

Each patient is allowed one well visitor per day, including one companion for outpatient appointments. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry, and are required to wear a mask while in the facility. Visitors are encouraged to help us preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and bring their own mask if possible. Visitors that do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitation hours are from 10 am - 8 pm. Visitors are not allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised, or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.

Will I be treated near COVID-19 patients? 

We are not performing time-sensitive, non-urgent procedures on COVID-19 positive patients at this time.

All patients who test positive for infectious disease, including COVID-19, are isolated for treatment in accordance with the Marquette County Health Department, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and CDC guidelines. Our hospital has a dedicated isolation unit/wing for the treatment of patients under investigation (PUIs) and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

If I have additional questions about my procedure, who should I contact? 

If you have any questions, please call our team at 906.483.1000.