St. Mary Medical Center to begin patient screening outside Emergency Department entrance

APPLE VALLEY (March 17, 2020) – As a safety precaution — and in accordance with infection-prevention protocols, including surge-management solutions — St. Mary Medical Center will begin to conduct patient screening just outside the Emergency Department (ED) entrance of the hospital.

This designated area will allow staff to more efficiently cohort patients with similar symptoms, protecting our most vulnerable and high-risk patients.

All patients in need of care will be required to undergo screening at this area prior to entering the hospital.

With the continuing spread of COVID-19 within the U.S, we are taking every preventative measure we can to improve patient safety. By expanding our patient-care area, we will be better prepared to accommodate and care for a possible influx of patients seeking medical attention due to COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

Our proactive plan to manage these patients is to mitigate the impact to our ED, reduce exposure to patients and caregivers, and prepare for the potential of a long-duration event. 

The health and safety of our patients, caregivers and community is our highest priority.