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HEALTH
Don’t neglect urgent health needs, It’s safe to seek care STAY ON T RACK WIT H U RG EN T A N D P R EV ENT I V E CA RE WOR DS A N D PHOTOG R A P H Y : SAN FORD HE ALT H
At Sanford Health, addressing health care needs is not something that should be complicated by the presence of the coronavirus. In other words, it is OK to keep regularly scheduled appointments and get urgent care when you need it. In fact, it is encouraged. “It’s very important for people to understand that our hospitals and clinics are safe places,” says Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, Sanford Health chief physician.
“We have the ability to keep our COVID patients in one part of the hospital and the patients without COVID in a different part of the hospital. We now have the testing ability, the protective equipment and all of the things we need to appropriately screen and separate those people.”
clinic safety measures Andrew Burgard, a family practice physician in Fargo, shares some key points about clinic safety: •
Employees and patients undergo temperature screenings before entering a facility.
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All locations are following CDC cleaning requirements and cleaning and sanitizing several times a day.
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Social distancing is in effect in all waiting areas.
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Clinic employees must wear a face mask at all times.
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Sanford Health has worked hard to ensure it has a steady supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the safety of providers, caregivers, patients and residents.
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Sanford Health is limiting personnel and visitors at its locations.
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Hospitals have separate designated areas for COVID-19 patients.
“I feel that coming into the clinic here is about the safest place you’re going to go into in the community,” Burgard says. “I’m very confident that we can treat people here safely in person in the clinic.”
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:: areawomanmagazine.com