At LewisGale Regional Health System, our top priority is protecting our patients, clinicians, nurses and colleagues. As we face the current COVID-19 pandemic head on, we never lose sight of the individuals who turn to us for comprehensive care, including essential behavioral health services.
Our sites of care maintain all COVID-19 precautions to ensure our patients and staff are safe. Many precautions taken to treat COVID-19 patients are similar to those taken to treat influenza, which is something we handle all the time. Because we instituted protocols around limited access, screening practices and isolating patients months ago, our facilities are a safe place to seek care, no matter what your health need.
Not only do we conduct staff screenings and temperature checks prior to each shift in both our inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings, but we have also established universal masking for all staff. Masks are also offered to all other individuals entering an HCA Healthcare facility, including behavioral health patients and visitors. In addition to masking, we continue to emphasize other key activities to prevent the spread of this virus, including frequent handwashing, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, not touching one’s face and respiratory etiquette.
We are practicing social distancing during both meal and therapeutic group times. In addition to virtual visitation facilitated in most inpatient units, we are also offering telehealth options for all of our outpatient group settings in both Intensive Outpatient Programs and Partial Hospitalization Programs.
Our COVID-19 care for psychiatric patients does not differ from our standard COVID-19 care. Our teams are equipped with the resources and guidance necessary for the transfer of potential COVID-19 patients from behavioral health settings to medical units for care and clearance. Our case management teams are also aware of community resources and locations for discharge during this time.
We are committed to providing stability and support for the highest standard of behavioral care, today and every day.