KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Ascension Medical Group announced Wednesday that its hospitals are now accepting scheduled medical clinic appointments.
WWMT reports that citizens who have been putting off appointments are now able to schedule them again.
Ascension provided WWMT with the following list of safety measures that will be in place with consideration go the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Screening. All our associates are screened before they come to work, using screening tools designed to ensure they are healthy and symptom-free before entering our facilities or providing care. All patients will also be screened and receive infrared thermometer testing prior to entering a facility.
- Cleaning and disinfecting. Our environmental services teams perform rigorous disinfecting measures at all our facilities, including between patient appointments.
- Face covering. Following CDC recommendations, all patients and visitors are asked to wear a cloth face covering while in our facilities.
- Waiting room distancing. We continue to practice social distancing within our facilities. When you arrive at a clinic, you will notice that waiting areas have fewer people and special instructions are posted for avoiding exposure.
- Appointment scheduling. We have staggered appointment times to reduce the number of patients with overlapping wait times.
- Visitor restrictions. In March, at the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we enacted visitor restrictions to protect our patients and staff. As our facilities begin to reopen for elective surgeries and procedures, we are now revising these policies. Please contact your local facility for information on the specific visitor guidelines.
- Urgent care needs. We ask that you not arrive unannounced at a care facility, except in cases of emergency. By calling ahead, you can learn about and follow the safety procedures for each facility and schedule time to visit in order to help keep you safer.
- Offsite screening locations. We are asking patients who have signs of respiratory illness to call ahead. And we are directing them to specialty care sites set up specifically for them. These separate sites will decrease the risk of infection at our sites of care.
Additionally, the following information has been provided for anyone who has health concerns:
- If you have a health concern, call your Ascension Michigan doctor to talk about the best option for your care.
- If you have a chronic condition, call your Ascension Michigan doctor or find a doctor.
- Contact your doctor about non-emergent procedures that you might have put off or have been considering for you and your family.
- If you have a medical emergency, our emergency rooms are always available 24/7 and can see you urgently. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or difficulty breathing, go directly to the ER or dial 911.
In Kalamazoo, Ascension Borgess can be contacted by phone at (269) 226-7000. More information is available at Ascension’s website.
