San Dimas, Calif., May 7, 2020 – Following newly released COVID-19 guidelines announced by state and local health officials, San Dimas Community Hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare, has begun scheduling elective surgeries and procedures.
Noelle Walsh-Rubio, MSN, RN, PHN, Chief Nursing Officer of San Dimas Community Hospital said a careful and structured move toward restarting clinical care operations and procedures has begun in order to address the needs of the community and expand access to medical and surgical care. The hospital is following guidelines and a roadmap that were established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, and the American Hospital Association.
“The hospital will be carefully monitoring the virus’s ongoing impact to the community and will maintain its ability to properly respond to the coronavirus as we begin serving patients with the essential care they need,” said Noelle Walsh-Rubio. “We want to assure our patients and community that we are implementing best practices and will do everything we can to keep them safe.”
A committee of physicians and other clinical leaders at San Dimas Community Hospital was formed to ensure safe resumption of essential health care services, including non-emergent surgeries and procedures. Staff and patients will be screened for COVID-19 prior to any surgery. Steps are taken to minimize any risks and make certain that COVID-19 patients are isolated from non-COVID-19 patients. New policies have been developed and will be reevaluated and reassessed as needed.
Due to the ongoing concern of Coronavirus (COVID-19), surgery patients are not permitted visitors to the hospital to accompany them at this time. We believe this will not only better protect our patients, but our community and of course, our staff.
Parrish Scarboro, Chief Executive Officer of San Dimas Community Hospital, said patient safety remains the highest priority at the hospital and that supplies of personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, and gloves are more than adequate to treat both COVID-19 patients and those undergoing important elective procedures and surgeries.
“Resuming these important services is essential to our mission of providing quality, community healthcare,” said Parrish Scarboro. “As a community hospital, San Dimas Community Hospital remains committed to conserving critical supplies, being vigilant in our fight against COVID-19 and its evolving impact, and ensuring that our facility is a safe place for all patients, providers, and staff,” said Parrish Scarboro.
In addition, stay-at-home orders issued by public health agencies make exceptions for those in need of other emergency medical treatments, and the hospital’s Emergency Department remains open for all those seeking emergency care. Following physical distancing guidelines for COVID-19 does not mean ignoring the signs or symptoms of other medical emergencies.
“Those experiencing signs of a heart attack or stroke, for instance, such as difficulty breathing or sudden muscle weakness, should still call 911 or visit the emergency room immediately,” said Dr. Jose Diaz, Emergency Department Medical Director of San Dimas Community Hospital. “We are well prepared to handle non-COVID emergencies as well as able to deal with an influx of potential COVID-19 cases, and are following all state, local, and federal guidelines to safeguard our staff and other patients from exposure.”
San Dimas Community Hospital is nationally recognized for several awards for their services including HealthGrades Excellence Award since 2018, Nation’s Top 100 Hospitals, “A” rating in safety from LeapFrog, the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award, and Number One Birth Certificate Compliance in the State of California.
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About San Dimas Community Hospital
San Dimas Community Hospital is an award-winning, 101-bed facility serving the San Dimas, Glendora, Covina and La Verne, California communities with compassionate, quality care. Services include 24-hour emergency care, a family birth center, orthopedic surgery, advanced diagnostic services, cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal services. A three-time recipient of the 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health, San Dimas Community Hospital’s has also been acknowledged by the Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety and is a recipient of the prestigious Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award. Learn more at sandimashospital.com.