What are your local protocols against CV19 in hospitals, medical facilities?

[Ginevra]

I went yesterday for the Squishing of the Books. They had a HCW in the vestibule, to check temps and gain agreement on a release. He was masked, of course; all people are masked according to our mandate. Check-in had 6-ft spacing, cups for “clean” and “dirty” pens, and the personnel sanitized their hands after touching anything “foreign”, like my insurance card. I was even given a service card to confirm that I did see hand washing by my technician. 

I am curious how it is in places with looser protocols and/or no mask mandate. Are people unmasked for mammograms in other parts of the US or other countries? I was thinking about how vulnerable a technician in that type of job is. It just piqued my curiosity if medical facilities are pretty universally consistent with protocols against covid. 

[vonfirmath]

2 hours ago, Quill said:

I went yesterday for the Squishing of the Books. They had a HCW in the vestibule, to check temps and gain agreement on a release. He was masked, of course; all people are masked according to our mandate. Check-in had 6-ft spacing, cups for “clean” and “dirty” pens, and the personnel sanitized their hands after touching anything “foreign”, like my insurance card. I was even given a service card to confirm that I did see hand washing by my technician. 

I am curious how it is in places with looser protocols and/or no mask mandate. Are people unmasked for mammograms in other parts of the US or other countries? I was thinking about how vulnerable a technician in that type of job is. It just piqued my curiosity if medical facilities are pretty universally consistent with protocols against covid. 

Even though masking here is not a favorite activity, everytime I've gone to the doctor, blood donation, etc it's been full masks -- even triaging done OUTSIDE the doctor's office itself.

 

Edited August 26, 2020 by vonfirmath

[historically accurate]

I've done a lot of doctor appointments and hospital times since June. It's all masked; we've been to two different states. I don't know if WI has a mask mandate or not; IL does.  

Some places have masks and shields, some require you to wear their masks (the disposable blue ones so they can avoid the useless/bare minimum mask). All of them have a checklist of symptoms; most have temp checks. Some have a list of places you can't have traveled to. Some of these check-ins are outside in a tent, some in a vestibule/waiting area. One gave us a pager and sent us back to our car until doctor was ready. The children's hospital gave you a bright sticker with a day of the week bolded on it so they could see at a glance you had been screened. That same children's hospital had none of the "stores" open; they only had the phone number on the door to contact them. The stores include a store with helmets, car seats, wheelchair accessories, etc, a stores with special need clothes (easy on/off, holes for tubes, etc), and a store that has things like compression socks and walkers. 

[alisoncooks]

My state is a mandatory masking state, so what I've seen is pretty similar to what you described. 

Dd had an ENT appointment recently, as well as an ultrasound at an imaging center. Both times: masks, spacing in waiting room, etc. The ENT was more recent and they had check-in via phone (waiting in the car until they were ready for us).  Both places had us leave through alternate (non-lobby)  exits. 

 

[slackermom]

My 16yo had an endoscopy this month, and had to get a COVID-19 test 24 hours before the procedure, which was done in in the car in the hospital garage. The day of the procedure, my kid and my ex (only 1 parent allowed) had to call upon arrival at the garage and then wait in the car until the intake nurse called them to come over. Screening at the hospital entrance included swapping into the masks they provided. At the clinic, the waiting room had separate plexiglass structures for each family, which they jokingly called the penalty boxes. Families were given a tag to hang on their box, and that made it their spot for the duration of the visit. Kid had to leave the box to do a urine test, and was questioned by a passing nurse: What are you doing? Where are you supposed to be? Who is supposed to be with you?

[Jentrovert]

At our local (very small) hospital, you may use only one entrance (the E.R. entrance). Your temp is checked and you answer a few screening questions. A sticker is put on your shirt saying you've been cleared. There are masks available if you want one.

Their mask policy has changed from time to time. For a long time, masks were not required at all. Right now, the receptionist wears a mask, as well as hcw's interacting with patients. They do not wear them (or they pull them down) in break rooms or when patients are not present. In an adjacent wing, the OT and PT do not wear masks. One of my children asked why they weren't wearing masks, and the response was, "they only have to do that around the E.R." I don't know what the official policy is right now, though.

As far as mask-wearing in general, I rarely see more than two or three other people masked when I run errands. Our county has had very low number of cases this whole time. Most people think it is way overblown.

 

[SounderChick]

Ours sounds the same.  Except as long as we are at a doctor in our hospital system we do e-check in so you don't really talk to the receptionist.  They have totally closed off the kids waiting area .    The hospital is the same.   visitors are still just parents of minors and some are allowed for terminal patients.

 

Edited August 26, 2020 by rebcoola

[Teresa in MO]

Last week my son and DIL had to take my grandson to the ER.  I met them in the parking lot and stayed with my 5 mo granddaughter while they went in with him.  They weren't sure if both would be allowed in, but they were.  Masks were required.   The hospital had set up tables and chairs spaced apart  outside the entrance of the ER for those who had family in the ER.  

My DIL had to take my grandson this week for an appointment with the surgeon.  They have scheduled a hernia operation for him next week.  Again, masks were required and temps screened.  He had to have an x-ray and Covid test and they were shocked that he did not have a mask on.  He just turned 2.

Not healthcare related, but my son is on vacation at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun with friends.  They all self- quarantined before, working from home.  The resort only allows 30% capacity.  He said it is absolutely empty.  He also said they have alot of thermal cameras set up around the resort.  I thought that was interesting.

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, Teresa in MO said:

Last week my son and DIL had to take my grandson to the ER.  I met them in the parking lot and stayed with my 5 mo granddaughter while they went in with him.  They weren't sure if both would be allowed in, but they were.  Masks were required.   The hospital had set up tables and chairs spaced apart  outside the entrance of the ER for those who had family in the ER.  

My DIL had to take my grandson this week for an appointment with the surgeon.  They have scheduled a hernia operation for him next week.  Again, masks were required and temps screened.  He had to have an x-ray and Covid test and they were shocked that he did not have a mask on.  He just turned 2.

Not healthcare related, but my son is on vacation at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun with friends.  They all self- quarantined before, working from home.  The resort only allows 30% capacity.  He said it is absolutely empty.  He also said they have alot of thermal cameras set up around the resort.  I thought that was interesting.

Thermal cameras? Is that to detect people with fevers or is that just to detect people, period? 

[Farrar]

One thing I've now seen a couple people I know complain about is procedures with who can go in. Like, one friend was saying that they still don't let people go in with a spouse or a young adult child for a non-Covid issue, even when an advocate would be useful. But that they have everyone wait in a waiting room together which really doesn't make sense.

[SounderChick]

42 minutes ago, Farrar said:

One thing I've now seen a couple people I know complain about is procedures with who can go in. Like, one friend was saying that they still don't let people go in with a spouse or a young adult child for a non-Covid issue, even when an advocate would be useful. But that they have everyone wait in a waiting room together which really doesn't make sense.

Well that is kind of silly.  They aren't allowed in the building here. When my dad had an MRI my mom came over to my house to wait since we live 5 minutes away from the center and they live 20 minutes away.

[Teresa in MO]

2 hours ago, Quill said:

Thermal cameras? Is that to detect people with fevers or is that just to detect people, period? 

His understanding from the staff is that they are to detect fevers.

[Farrar]

44 minutes ago, rebcoola said:

Well that is kind of silly.  They aren't allowed in the building here. When my dad had an MRI my mom came over to my house to wait since we live 5 minutes away from the center and they live 20 minutes away.

I had the same reaction. But I saw two friends say it was set up this way. I was like, I would have left the building! And maybe that's what they were trying to encourage? But they had a space inside where they allowed people to wait apparently. Together. With not enough space to fully distance. Like, geez.

[Loowit]

I have seen a lot of variations on things, but all require masking.  The ER allowed me to have DH with me, both of us had to be masked.  They had separate waiting rooms for those with potential covid symptoms and those without.  One clinic required masks and questions at the single enterance, no support person unless the patient is a minor.  Another clinic requires you to wear their mask (no cloth masks), have temp taken, and no support person unless patient is a minor.  Everywhere I have been that doesn't want a support person with the patient, has that person wait in the car (or elsewhere).  All the waiting rooms have limited seating, and they try to get patients back asap.

Our dentist's office requires masks until in the exam room, temps taken at the door, call before coming in, and no support person even for minors.  I did ask if I could come in with my 14 years old, as he prefers me to be there but they said no.  About 2 minutes later they called and asked me to come in.  He has severe allergies and they wanted me there to fill out an updated medical history form and make sure anything they used was safe for him.

[Spryte]

Wow.  Some of these hospitals have a much better system than ours.

ER last night:  both temps checked as we walked in, and I had to fill out a form for the patient about symptoms, had she been in contact with anyone who’s tested positive. No questions about me, the advocate. No stickers.  Then again, chest pain visits are pretty expedited, so maybe I missed something.

Waiting room had chairs placed normally, but people were spaced.  One “nose penis” visible (sorry, I always forget how to say that in German, it sounds better that way).  While I filled out the forms, a nurse parked my mom’s wheelchair literally three feet from the person with the, errrrr, offending nose.  My mom had to ask to be moved elsewhere.  

Most people were masked, mandated by the state.  We saw one person use hand sanitizer.  

The tech that did some bloodwork on my mom was masked, but later was standing at a desk in the hall unmasked.  It didn’t register at first, and then it hit me.  I closed the curtain to the room, but he was whistling and doing paperwork right outside of our room.  I should have said something but was so exhausted and beaten down by that point, I didn’t. I had to talk myself into just accepting that my mom was being admitted and was going to be exposed to whatever, without me there to advocate.  It was hard.  

She is in the hospital now, and visiting is extremely limited.  She has dementia, so hopefully they are helping her remember to wear her mask.  

[Terabith]

Anyone who enters a doctor's office or the hospital here is asked a series of screening questions, including, "Do you have any of a long list of symptoms; have you been exposed to anyone who has covid; have you had a positive test for covid in the last 28 days; have you been outside the area?"  They also check everyone's temperature with a forehead thermometer.  For most medical appointments, it is just the patient and one accompanying person.  At the hospital, patients are allowed to have one visitor per day, who is given a special arm band after being screened.  Everyone must wear a mask, and there are spots about where to stand to social distance, including in elevators.  Everyone who enters the hospital or any of the clinics in the medical system is given a sticker to show they've passed the screening.  

For entrance to the hospital or ER, there are a few extra questions, and at the ER, anyone who "screens positive or at risk" is sent to a negative pressure individualized room to wait.  

The hospital has upgraded filters in the HVAC system.  

Edited August 26, 2020 by Terabith

[Elfknitter.#]

Hot spot location here.

I had to rush my dh to the ER in the early morning hours about 2 weeks ago. Everything was set up outside for intake. We had our temps checked and had to be masked. There was only one entry point for the ER and they had a security guard out front with the nurses. I got the impression I wouldn't have been allowed to push his wheelchair in, but dh's responses to some question demonstrated his confusion at that point. I was allowed in so I could speak to the nurse while he took his vitals. Once that was done, I was asked to leave and told I could call the posted phone number out front for updates. I might have been inside for a whole 5 minutes? Dh wound up being admitted and I learned there were no visitors allowed inside. I wound up having to leave his phone and charger with the check-in desk outside. 

My local HMO clinic has one way in and out access too. Only those with appointments or picking up prescriptions may enter. Temps are taken, masking is enforced, and only one parent is allowed with a minor.

[J-rap]

My state has mandatory masking and has been extremely careful.

When the pandemic first hit, hospitals looked like a war-zone!  Guards and tape everywhere with big signs saying most people are not allowed entrance.  Even today, no one is allowed in except the patient and only if they have an appointment.   (Unless a minor or they need physical help -- then one person can accompany them.)   The tape is gone now.  🙂

My dh was in an accident and hospitalized for a month in June, and I wasn't allowed to see him ever.   Once the ambulance swooped him up, that was the last I saw of him.  All communication with doctors was done via phone, or FaceTime if my dh happened to have it open.  

It mostly remains like that now, although I've recently been given permission to attend doctor appointments with my dh because of our rather unusual situation.  Hospital lobbies are mostly closed off, no one is just waiting around.  Water fountains are closed off.  There are several levels of stations to get through before even going to the check-in desk...  Usually one outside, and another just inside the door.  Temps are checked, masks required, hand sanitizing requiring...

My mother is in a care center, and only one family member has been allowed to see her.  (That only started three weeks ago.)  So that's my dad.  He has to wear a mask AND a face shield and gloves.  His temp is checked and he has to answer a page full of questions each time.  I haven't been able to see my mother since early March.

[Donna]

When I took DD to the cardiologist two months ago, only one parent was allowed into the building for the appointment with the child. We had to wait in the car until they texted to let us know it was our turn to enter the building. Prior to entering the building, someone called to do the intake procedures/paperwork over the phone. Our temperatures were taken, masks were required, and we had to use hand sanitizer. The doctors and nurses were masked. The waiting area had seats in groups of two, placed six feet apart and there was only one other parent/child pair in the area while we were there. We only waited  for 5 minutes for our appointment (when usually it might be an hour) and we were in, she had an echo, and the doctor talked to us about it....all within 90 minutes. Very little waiting.