The Valley Regional Medical Center staff is meeting every day and keeping up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to ensure their policies match, officials say.
Frank Acevedo, chief nursing officer for Valley Regional Medical Center, said they have tested for a few cases of COVID-19 but nothing has come back positive.
He recommends being in contact with one’s provider over the phone and trying to get an assessment before going to their doctor.
“I think a lot of things can be taken care of over the phone,” Acevedo said. “The CDC recommends that we don’t just go because we feel bad, maybe calling your local doctor to get some guidance before you do anything.”
He said the CDC’s standard recommendations are to stay six feet away from others, washing hands for at least 20 seconds and staying away from large groups of people.
Patient traffic has remained steady despite the virus news, according to Acevedo.
The chief nursing officer advises people not to panic.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there on social media and panicking does not help the community,” Acevedo said. “I want to reinforce that health-care providers in this community are working together to make sure the community and our health-care providers are safe but we need to ensure that the public does not panic. We’re here to take care of those that can’t take care of themselves.”
Mariana Tumlinson, director of community and public relations for Valley Regional Medical Center, recommends people to visit the CDC website for the latest information on COVID-19.
A letter from Art Garza, chief executive officer for Valley Regional Medical Center, sent by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce on March 18 listed steps the hospital is taking to “assure uninterrupted care,” such as limited entry in order for visitors to be screened and masks provided, employees, caregivers and physicians were asked to follow self-screening procedures and cleaning throughout all care sites.
Valley Baptist Health System posted about the COVID-19 outbreak on its website and said it is working closely with the local health department and the CDC to respond to potential coronavirus cases in the area.
“We have strong infection control policies, procedures, and systems in place to screen and treat patients,” it posted on its website regarding COVID-19. “We are committed to keeping our patients, our staff, and our community safe.”
On its website, Harlingen Medical Center said it is taking all necessary measures and precautions to protect the safety of patients and staff.
Starting March 13, hospital entry points are limited to enable screening of visitors, according to the hospital’s web page. The Emergency Room entrance is the only point of entry for the public. Public safety officers will ask patients and visitors questions related to symptoms, recent travel, contact with or confirmed case of COVID-19. Visitors showing signs of symptoms should not visit or accompany patients. Visitors must be older than 18. Visitors to patients “at end of life” are allowed in at the discretion of the care team.
Starting Wednesday, visitors were limited to one adult per patient.
The page also includes a frequently asked section regarding the novel coronavirus.
