Heartland Regional Medical Center Resumes Services Previously Restricted Due to COVID-19
Efforts are part of Illinois’ Phase 1 Reopening Plan
Heartland Regional Medical Center will resume services that had previously been restricted due to the coronavirus outbreak. A phased reactivation will begin May 11th in accordance with Illinois 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 Ed Cunningham, Heartland Regional 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 will include resuming elective surgeries, lab and imaging services as well as resuming procedures performed at its many outpatient specialty and family medicine 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 within 72 hours of a scheduled procedure and self-quarantine until the day of surgery after being tested. For the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and the community Heartland Regional will continue to adhere to a “No Visitor” policy with few exceptions. Patients are encouraged to call their provider, or visit HeartlandRegional.com, prior to your appointment for visitation details.
“The hospital has always had stringent infection control protocols in place and we’ve enhanced those precautions in light of COVID-19,” said Barrie Questelle, Heartland Regional CNO. “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.”
“And while we cautiously look ahead to the next few weeks and months, Marion community members are encouraged to continue seeking health care, especially when a medical emergency arises,” said Cunningham. “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.”
Heartland Regional 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 are 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 call the hospital’s Call-Ahead Hotline at 888-534-2786 before coming to the hospital.
“We understand how a global pandemic of this nature raises concerns and fear in people,” said Questelle. “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.”