Akron Children’s prioritizes patient safety during remobilization efforts
Kathy Johnson - Writer
Braelynn Kiatte proves she’s good listener by wearing a mask as Pediatrician Dr. Todd McMillen performs a well child checkup in our Wooster office.
With the recent news that Ohio’s stay-at-home order has lifted, your child’s safety is our top priority as we get back to conducting in-office appointments, elective surgeries, therapies and procedures that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business as usual will look different than what our patients and families were accustomed to as we closely follow guidelines set by the CDC and governor’s office to safeguard everyone’s wellbeing.
To decrease exposure to others, the hospital currently allows 1 caregiver at outpatient appointments and 2 adult caregivers at the inpatient bedside. Inpatient visitors, including siblings, must be over the age of 18. Anyone entering the hospital is required to wear a visitor badge or patient ID bracelet. Passes are color-coded by floor and valid for one calendar day. Passes are issued at information desks located at building entrances.
Screening stations are located on Akron campus: Exchange Street parking deck – Level 3 bridge – 24/7; Emergency Department entrance for ED patients only – 24/7; Considine Professional Building – valet entrance and Level 3 entrance from Bowery parking deck – Monday-Friday: 5 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. On Mahoning Valley campus: A Building – south entrance – Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; B Building – Emergency Department entrance for ED patients only – 24/7; D Building – lobby entrance – 24/7
What to expect when visiting
Expect limited entry points at both the Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses. Once you enter a building you will need to stop at a screening station for a temperature check and answer a few questions. Please do not visit if you are feeling under the weather. If you are not already wearing a mask or face covering, you will be asked to put one on (kids under age 2 or those with sensory issues are not required). If you forget your mask, we will provide one for you.
Patient Jessica Mundy gets her temperature taken as she enters the Massillon Health Center for as physical therapy appointment.
Safety and distancing
Patients and families will check in with a live patient service representative, touch-screen kiosks are currently out of service. Plexiglass dividers have been added to all patient registration and checkout locations to help decrease contact between staff and visitors. Floor decals and signs throughout the hospital encourage social distancing in public areas. When using elevators, please limit riders to 2 per elevator car (unless you are in the same family).
Social distancing reminders and precautions are located throughout our facilities.
Revamped waiting rooms
Appointments are spaced to reduce the number of people in clinical areas as well as provide time to deep clean exam rooms between patients. Expect to spend less time in public waiting areas, which now feature seating spread 6 feet apart.
Modified seating in waiting areas at our Boston Heights Health Center
A handful of primary care and pediatric specialty offices offer mobile check-in options (virtual waiting rooms) allowing you to wait in your car until the provider is ready for you. Ask the office if this service is available when making your appointment. When appropriate, virtual visits with providers through MyChart or Quick Care Online will be scheduled.
Sanitization
Hand hygiene has long been shown to be one of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease. We have increased the number of hand sanitizing dispensers available throughout the hospital – especially at entrances/exits and next to patient registration desks. Cleaning protocols in common areas and frequently touched surfaces have been enhanced to ensure the safest environment for our employees and patients.
Every day more than 100 housekeepers and other dedicated staff are busy following those guidelines and standard work created with our Infection Control experts.
Kathy Johnson is a northeast Ohio-based freelance writer, editor and public relations consultant with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She writes extensively for blogs, websites, newsletters and magazines. Since 1999, she has been the principal at New View Communications serving a variety of hospitals and healthcare-related clients.
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