Reopening Your Facility + Prep Tips to Begin Elective Medical Procedures
Tips to reopen and resume elective medical procedures at your healthcare workplace.
With mandates relaxing and phased openings happening across many states, healthcare facilities that are again seeing patients have a host of new compliances and procedures to follow if they want to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
If your facility is part of the upcoming reopening rounds or has started already welcoming patients again, it’s important to understand and put these new practices into place.
Effective infection control protocols are a critical part of the puzzle. Especially in the outpatient setting as these steps will help prevent unnecessary exposure to anyone coming in contact with each other while at the visit – the patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors.
In addition to detailed training and an office management plan, here are some of the steps that should be taken to prevent the possible spread of the novel coronavirus at your facility.
Ramp Up Routine Cleaning
The cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces throughout the facility are mandatory at this time. In fact, it is required that these steps happen frequently throughout the day to ensure cleanliness is maintained. Be sure your facility is using the correct EPA compliant, hospital-grade disinfectant, and that appropriate PPE and ventilation are used during the cleaning process.
Patient Rooms and Procedure Areas Should be Monitored
In addition to the regular steps taken in between new patients entering an exam room or other medical settings, there should be additional steps to protect and sanitize. Wipe down of all high contact areas and changing or equipment or covers to eliminate contamination or possible spread.
Resume Elective Medical Procedures Safely
When it comes to elective medical procedures, those that involve non-life threatening conditions, many states are now allowing them to happen. These can include things like dental surgeries or tumor removals. However, they will require the use of PPE and other specific safety procedures to be performed in accordance with mandates. Required safety protocols can vary based on the type of health facility and procedure being performed so it’s important to check that you are in compliance. Many hospitals are requiring that patients be tested for COVID-19 prior, using masks, and having temperatures checked are part of the new norm when patients are coming in for elective medical procedures.
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