March 5th, 2020 – Windom Area Health continues to monitor the latest updates daily on COVID-19.
While no individuals in the state have a confirmed coronavirus case, Windom Area Health officials say they’re taking a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach to being prepared.
“Windom Area Health is prepared,” said Shelby Medina, Chief Executive Officer. “As a managed facility within the Sanford Health Network, if you come to Windom Area Health or any Sanford clinic or facility in the enterprise, you’ll be asked about relevant travel and symptoms. We have clinical staff trained to follow a clinical algorithm for care, isolation and personal protection. We are taking part in weekly calls with Sanford so we are all on the same page.”
‘Better safe than sorry’
Windom Area Health has a preparation committee consisting of representatives from various departments and functions of the hospital, which is meeting regularly to consider the latest recommendations from public health officials, and to assess the hospital’s preparedness. The committee has also been evaluating the supply of protective equipment for its staff, and has more than sufficient levels.
The electronic medical record in use at Windom Area Health prompts a Coronavirus questionnaire about travel and symptoms, even if a patient has come for another concern. If patients meet the screening criteria, they’re immediately isolated in a private room. WAH employees take the needed precautions to avoid transmission of the virus, and they immediately reach out to the state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine how to proceed.
Medina recommends visiting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website to get the most updated information. Processes are routinely changing as the CDC learns more about the virus. Following the CDC website will allow the public access to the latest information.
The topic of community education has also been discussed, and Windom Area Health was planning a free community education event on this topic, but out of great care and concern for community safety the delivery of that content is being evaluated to minimize possible spread of the virus and maximize accessibility.
To keep up to date with ongoing operations updates at WAH, Click Here.
To learn more about COVID-19 and get the most accurate, up-to-date guidelines, go to the CDC website by Clicking Here.