Ross Memorial Hospital Changes COVID-19 Assessment Centre to enhanced model

Ross Memorial Hospital Changes COVID-19 Assessment Centre to Enhanced Model

by The Standard New Media Inc. | March 26th, 2020 Edition https://thestandardnewspaper.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RMH-Centre-Mar-26th-2020.mp3

KAWARTHA LAKES: Following the announcement of the first positive case of COVID-19 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, on March 14th, Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) introduced a temporary ‘drive-thru’ assessment centre in their ambulance bay. In response to the community’s feedback and guidelines from the Ministry of Health, the Hospital is introducing a new model for assessment, as of Wednesday, March 18th. The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre model will have patients call first for a phone assessment by a nurse or physician, who will refer the caller to the appropriate next steps, which may include self-monitoring instructions, self-isolation instructions, testing at our offsite location (Lindsay Exhibition) or seeking care in the Hospital. Patients should contact the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre only if referred by Telehealth, Public Health, or some other care provider. “We anticipated an increased demand for assessment following the announcement of the first local case of COVID-19,” said Veronica Nelson, Interim President & CEO, “but assessment through our ambulance bay is not a sustainable solution. This new model of our clinicians providing assessment over the phone will support our community, by making care more accessible for those who need it.” If you suspect you might have COVID-19, you should first: 1. Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment at Ontario.ca/coronavirus 2. If indicated by the self-assessment results, contact Telehealth, at 1-866-797-0000, or the Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine-Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit (www.hkpr.on.ca), at 1-866-888-4577, extension 5020. 3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms. Starting Wednesday, March 18th, the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre can be reached at 705-328-6217. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ross Memorial Hospital continues to work with our local, regional and provincial partners, on coordinated response planning during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the situation changes day by day, the Hospital asks the community to visit www.rmh.org/covid-19 for the latest information about the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and enhanced measures regarding patients, care programs, and visitors.