Novant Health UVA Health System ready for expected patient surge

Novant Health UVA Health System remains in a constant state of readiness for an expected patient surge and continues to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Healthcare and Hospital Association, according to a news release.

“Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our patients, providers, team members and communities,” said Al Pilong in a news release. Pilong is the chief executive officer for Novant Health UVA Health System.

Recent changes at Novant Health UVA Health System facilities include the following:
1. Hospital visitor restrictions and screenings are in place. Visitation for hospital patients has been restricted, except for laboring mothers and patients who are minors (under age 18).

2. Patients have been advised to come to clinics alone, if possible. If visitors are required, only one visitor may accompany each patient in the exam room. Visitors must be healthy and age 13 or older.

3. Patients with symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath) have been asked to call their provider before visiting a clinic. Providers will set up a care plan to keep others from getting infected/exposed.

4. All non-urgent elective surgeries and procedures have been suspended. However, emergency and essential services continue uninterrupted.

4. Novant Health UVA Health System team members who normally work in areas that have been impacted by the reduction of in-person visits and elective procedures are being redeployed to areas needing additional help to meet the needs of patients.

5. Additional licensed bed capacity has been requested for Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center, Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center and Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center to respond to the expected patient surge.

5. The Prince William Medical Center Outpatient Infusion Center has been temporarily relocated within the hospital to add patient care space, ensure direct access to the infusion center and limit foot traffic.

6. Obstetric and gynecologic patients will be temporarily diverted from Haymarket Medical Center to Prince William Medical Center, as of April 6. This will minimize co-mingling of obstetric patients with other patients and help keep mom and baby as healthy as possible during their stay. It will also increase access to critical care programs, including a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

7. Novant Health UVA Health System team members have readied triage tents outside the health system’s three emergency departments to prepare for an increase in patient volumes. The tents can be used for potential emergency department overflow, if needed.

8. NovantHealthUVA.org/coronavirus has added information to stay up to date on COVID-19 and manage medical care through Novant Health UVA Health System. The site also features a virtual coronavirus screening tool that gives recommendations for care.

9. Novant Health UVA Health System is providing virtual options to care for patients at home. Patients can connect with their provider through online services to receive minor diagnoses, prescriptions and professional advice. Patients seeking care at Novant Health UVA Health System hospitals and clinics in the Greater Prince William area can request a video visit or e-visit through MyChart. Patients who have had care at Culpeper Medical Center are encouraged to sign up for MyHealthConnection or call their provider’s office to discuss virtual options that may be available.

10. Anyone interested in donating goods and services to Novant Health UVA Health System should contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) prior to making any donation. Details and a list of currently accepted donations is available on NovantHealthUVA.org.