Updated for Friday, March 20:
On Thursday afternoon, Central Peninsula Hospital issued a press release stating that they are increasing safety measures again, now screening all patients and visitors who enter CPH.
Central Peninsula Hospital continues to take precautions to keep our caregivers, patients and community safe as we prepare to care for COVID-19 patients that will eventually arrive. As stated in our prior release on March 17, 2020, we would be implementing further restrictions that would involve screening all patients/visitors who enter Central Peninsula Hospital. That day has arrived.
Central Peninsula Hospital is implementing Heath Screening and Visitor Entry restrictions effective: Friday, March 20, 2020 at 5:00a.m.
The health and visitor screening stations will be located at the Main Entrance (5:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.), the River Tower Entrance FRONT ONLY (7:00a.m. to 5:30p.m.), and the Emergency Department Entrance (24 Hours) to the hospital. The entrance closest to the Obstetrics Department (near middle of the hospital in front) will be locked to badge access only for employees and physicians. The rear River Tower entrance will be permanently closed to the public until further notice.For Central Peninsula Hospital, this means no visitors will be allowed with the exception of:
- One (1) adult visitor, 18 years or older, per pediatric patient;
- One (1) adult visitor, 18 years or older, per patient in Labor & Delivery/Mother-Baby unit;
- One (1) adult visitor, 18 years or older, per patient who is living with a mental disability;
- One (1) adult visitor, 18 years or older, per medical/surgical patient;
- One (1) adult visitor, 18 years or older, per ICU patient;
- One (1) adult visitor, 18 years or older, per emergency department patient;
- Case by case basis per patient who is in “end of life” status.
Access for people without a badge will only be available at the hospital main entrance, emergency department, or River Tower Front Entrance. Screening checks for patients and visitors will be required prior to entry. Please contact Central Peninsula Hospital prior to arrival for more information about visitor restrictions at (907) 714-4404.
Original Story:
Central Peninsula Hospital issued a press release on Tuesday, March 17, emphasizing changes they are making to maintain their current operational status. They are asking community members to not visit the hospital or outpatient clinics unless there is a healthcare-related reason, until further notice. In addition, they implore that patients with COVID-19 symptoms call a provider before visiting a hospital or clinic.
The statement notes that CPH expects the levels of restriction to increase in the near future, which will involve screening all patients and visitors.
Members of the community should call their providers before visiting family practice clinics if they have COVID-19 symptoms including cough, fever, or shortness of breath. This is an essential step for triaging patients before they arrive and allows the provider to provide specific instructions to patients. This call will protect all frontline healthcare and will help prevent the spread of disease.
According to Bruce Richards of CPH, making that phone call to a family provider is how the hospital system will maintain its efficiency: “We can keep that stress on the system from escalating by just making a phone call first. Don’t just show up. Make a phone call. Say, ‘Hey, here’s what’s going on.’ Then ask them questions, and they’re going to ask some questions back. They’ll progress down this path that everybody is following. That’s the best piece of advice that most healthcare systems across the country are trying to stress is to call before you come, let us ask you questions, and let’s narrow this down.”
When conducting COVID-19 tests, Central Peninsula Hospital collects samples with nasal swabs, per CDC guidelines. The specimens are sent to the State of Alaska for the testing. The hospital does not conduct the test at the hospital, nor do they have a drive-through test location at the hospital.
In addition, CPH announced a list of closures and restrictions:
- Hospital cafeteria is closed to the public until further notice;
- Hospital Gift Shop is closed;
- All volunteer services have ceased / volunteers have been asked to stay home;
- CPH Cardiac rehab and pulmonary rehab are closed until further notice;
- Heritage Place Outpatient Physical Therapy closed, patients going to alternate locations;
- The CPH Health Fair scheduled for April 4 has been cancelled;
- All community classes held at CPH have been cancelled until further notice;
- Dine and Discuss with Dr. Hough has been cancelled.
Stay with KSRM for further updates on restrictions that arise at CPH.