Oswego Health | Inside Healthcare | Covid-19

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, emergencies unrelated to COVID-19 still happen. But a troubling trend is emerging. People with warning signs of a heart attack, stroke or other crisis are putting off going to the emergency room (ER). They're afraid of catching COVID-19. That fear can cost lives. Fast treatment in an emergency often raises the odds of survival. And it lowers the risk of serious compli- cations from an illness or injury. That's why no one should delay medical care. At Oswego Health, we are ready to care for you—safely. Your safety comes first, and that is why we have implemented the following safety measures to keep you safe and prevent COVID-19 from spreading: Everyone entering Oswego Health facilities, including staff, will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Everyone entering Oswego Health facilities will be asked to wear a cloth mask. Patients may bring their own mask or may opt to wear one supplied by the health system. All medical staff will always wear surgical masks and DON’T DELAY medical care While our services may look different, our commitment to high- quality, compassionate, personalized healthcare remains the same. We welcome you back to Oswego Health. protective eye wear, as well as other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), when caring for patients. Visitors will still be prohibited. One support person will be allowed for delivering mothers; children under the age of 18; patients with confusion, altered mental status or developmental delays; and end-of-life patients. In addition, patients needing surgery will need to be dropped off and picked up, as no support person or visitors will be permitted at this time. Six-foot social distances will be established in public areas such as waiting rooms. Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch, public surface areas will continue. Currently, Oswego Health is planning to reopen many of our outpatient locations starting May 18, and we expect to resume elective surgeries on June 1. We have chosen this date to allow for the collection of more PPE and to increase our testing ability so that we can safely proceed. At present we have only had three positive COVID-19 patients in our hospital, so the risk of proceeding with elective cases is lower than in our surrounding hospitals, but we want to do this correctly. If we can procure adequate PPE supplies and testing, we may begin sooner, but all things must be done correctly and safely. Though the risk is reduced, we will not put either staff or patients at risk in any way. PROTECTING OUR PATIENTS TAKING CARE Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Harrisburg, PA Permit No.66 Oswego Hospital, Inc 110 W 6th St Oswego, NY 13126-2598