Cogdell Memorial Hospital recently released the following statement, in which hospital officials answer several COVID-19-related questions.
Cogdell Marketing/Community Liaison Tara Camp said the hospital is committed to following guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the disease.
“Cogdell remains steadfast in our commitment to serve the healthcare needs of our patients and this community,” Camp said in the press release. “In order to meet the challenges posed by COVID-19, we are following CDC guidelines and best practice recommendations to slow the rate of spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources (such as personal protective equipment) which will, in turn, protect our community and healthcare team and preserve our ability to provide care for all of our patients.”
Q. — What should I do if I think I have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or may be experiencing symptoms?
A. — Please contact the Scurry County Health Unit by calling 573-3508 if you think you may have been exposed or may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
If you feel you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms and think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call 911. Please advise the dispatcher if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19. Or, have someone bring you to the emergency room. If at all possible, please have someone call ahead and advise the emergency room that you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Q. — Can Cogdell Memorial Hospital test for COVID-19?
A. — Yes. Cogdell Memorial Hospital has COVID-19 test kits.
However, due to the limited number of kits available, there are criteria that must be met in order to receive a test.
Q. — Who can get a test?
A. — There are federal, state and local health authorities have established screening criteria to determine who should be tested.
Current screening criteria include presence of symptoms, travel history and the likelihood of exposure.
Q. — What if a patient comes into Cogdell Memorial Hospital with COVID-19?
A. — Cogdell has protocols in place for screening and caring for those who are positive and/or likely positive for COVID-19. The situation is rapidly changing, Protocols, workflows and staffing are adjusted daily in accordance with the most current information available to us from federal, state and local health authorities.
We will have dedicated rooms containing the necessary protective equipment and supplies to care for patients who test positive. We will treat patients within our capacity and are developing contingency plans should our dedicated rooms or neighboring hospitals become full.
Q. — Are the hospital staff being monitored for symptoms?
A. — Cogdell has implemented staff screening as recommended by federal, state and local health authorities.
Q. — Is Cogdell Memorial Hospital allowing visitors?
A. — Cogdell’s visitation policy will be modified as directed by federal, state and local health authorities. Details will be announced soon.
Q. — Does Cogdell Memorial Hospital have ventilators to support breathing?
A. — Yes. Cogdell currently has four ventilators.
Q. — Does Cogdell Memorial Hospital have sufficient staffing to handle a COVID-19 case?
A. — Cogdell is fully staffed; however, we have arranged for additional staffing in key areas in the event of increased patient volumes.
Also, we are revising our staffing contingency plans and reassign personnel throughout the facility to meet the needs of our patients.
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