Updated March 17: Wamego Health Center, Ascension Via Christi announce additional screening, visitation measures

Ascension Via Christi and Wamego Health Center continue to aggressively respond to the evolving Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak, announced additional measures today designed to protect patients, visitors, caregivers and associates.

Those measures, effective today, include:

  • Revising visitor guidelines to request no more than one visitor per patient and no visitors under age 18. Implementing screening for everyone entering its hospitals and outpatient clinics through limited entrances at each site.
    • Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan – Patient Entrance and Emergency Room entrances should be used
    • Wamego Health Center – Main Entrance, Emergency Room and Rehabilitation Gym entrances should be used
  • Anyone who affirms that they have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing will be asked not to visit and return when he or she is no longer symptomatic. They also will be advised to consider a virtual visit through Facebook, Skype or other online platforms. Those who are approved to visit will be asked to limit their movement within the hospital to and from the patient’s room.

“These steps are being taken proactively to protect our patients and associates, while still respecting the

rights of our patients to receive visitors,” said Bob Copple, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in

Manhattan. “We continue to be committed to the health and safety of our patients, their guests and our associates.”

Leaders at Ascension Via Christi and Wamego Health Center are in close communication with community physicians and the Riley County & Pottawatomie County Health Departments to help coordinate activities and share knowledge, he added.

“This is a time to stay informed and look for official sources of information, including the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Riley County Health Department,” Copple said. “For the time being, we encourage the community stay home and practice social distancing, and especially individuals who feel unwell, have a fever or have travelled recently. It will take all of us to help reduce the spread of this illness.”

 

 

 

More COVID-19 news:

5 Things to know about Novel Coronavirus