Schedule and Protocol Changes in Response to Covid-19
|
In this challenging time, our goal at the Mason City Clinic is to protect our patients, our community, our physicians and our staff.
Here are the measures we are taking as it relates to surgeries and office visits to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19:
Surgeries scheduled at MercyOne:
• Elective surgeries and procedures are now postponed until further notice.
• MercyOne will continue to provide non-elective surgeries & procedures.
Surgeries scheduled at Mason City Surgery Center:
• Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, the ambulatory surgery center will temporarily close and all surgeries or procedures scheduled there will be postponed.
Mason City Clinic office visits
• We will be decreasing our office schedules, and may be calling patients to postpone some of your non-emergency appointments.
• We recommend that no nursing home patients come to the clinic to be seen.
• We suggest that no more than 2 chaperones attend an office visit with the patient.
New Mason City Clinic Building Screening Protocol:
The south handicap entrance is locked. The front (east) circle drive doorway is the only entry to the building for a 3-part screening process for everyone entering the facility.
- 1st stop: Determines location of appointment
- 2nd stop: Staff will take persons temperature. Patients with no temperatures will continue onto Registration; People with temperatures will not be allowed in the building. (Patients with symptoms should contact their primary care physicians or call 211 to get evaluated.)
- 3rd stop: Registration where staff will ask potential exposure questions.
Update on Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) from Infectious Disease Physician, Sandra Crosara, MD
|
On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus disease a pandemic.
In a short amount of time, the Coronavirus has changed all of our lives drastically. It has been a rapid spread, now with confirmed Covid-19 cases in all 50 states. As of March 19, 230,050 cases and 9,386 deaths have been confirmed globally. 39 cases have been identified in Iowa; no deaths confirmed.
“The spread of Covid-19 has been much quicker than most of us anticipated. We thought it wouldn’t get to the States until the Fall, and we’d have more time to plan and prepare for people who are infected,” said Sandra Crosara, MD, Infectious Disease.
“What we don’t want to do is spread it. If people are having symptoms, they should not go anywhere,” said Crosara.
Sandra Crosara, MD, Infectious Disease
Common signs of Covid-19 infection are: respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure,
and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection include regular hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and not touching your face with unwashed hands. And social distancing. The CDC recommendation is that you do not socialize in groups any larger than 10 people. And in many states people are being told to shelter in place.
The Cerro Gordo County Public Health Department has set up a call center that people can easily access by dialing 211 to quickly get their symptoms analyzed as to if it is Coronavirus or not.
Said Crosara, “The biggest risk factor is for the elderly, ages 65 - 80, who usually have some chronic disease, such as a respiratory disease, and are more susceptible to infections. We are telling people not to go to family or other social events if you aren’t feeling well. We are concerned about kids who may be exposed to Covid-19 and visit their grandparents and potentially transmit
the virus to them.”
|
|
|
|
Workplace Ergonomics (Demonstration Video)
Most people spend at least some of their work day at a desk and on a computer, putting undue stress on their musculoskeletal system by incorrect sitting postures like slouching or crossing their legs, and having their computer’s screen and keyboard too close together. Tim narrates a short, yet informative demonstration video of how to properly set up your desk and computer to optimize your body’s well being at work.
Click Image Above To Watch Video
Prevent Falling & Injury At Home With These Tips & Exercises (Podcast)
Falls can have very serious consequences as we age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 25% of adults 65 years or older have a fall, and 3 million are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Falls often occur in the bathroom when sitting or standing from the toilet or shower, or at night in a dark bedroom when getting up quickly and tripping on the way to the bathroom.
On the Mason City Clinic podcast, Docs On Call, Tim shares important tips and exercises for preventing these falls, especially at home.
If you would like to book an appointment with Tim or any of the physical therapists at Cornerstone Physical Therapy at the Mason City Clinic, call 641-494-5255.
|
|
|
|
