Faith Regional Returns to Elective Procedures

Faith Regional Health Services announced today it has lifted the temporary restrictions placed on elective surgery and outpatient procedures due to COVID-19. The decision follows the release and abides by the Governor’s order in the Directed Health Measure for the state.

Faith Regional stopped performing elective procedures on March 30, 2020 in response to the Directed Health Measures by Governor Ricketts.  That action was necessary to conserve critical healthcare resources in order to assure hospitals could respond to the COVID-19 emergency.

On April 24, 2020, Governor Ricketts announced elective surgeries may resume on May 4th,  if hospitals can maintain 30% general bed availability, 30% ICU bed availability, 30% ventilator availability, and have a two-week supply of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

“While the environment and experience may look different in the temporary new normal, our team is ready to deliver safe care and continue our Mission of providing all people with exemplary medical services in an environment of love and care,” stated Kelly Driscoll, President and CEO of Faith Regional Health Services.

Faith Regional continues to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department to continually evaluate incidences and trends of COVID-19 cases within Madison County and the surrounding area.

Safety protocols put in place regarding care include, but are not limited to:

All individuals entering Faith Regional facilities, including staff, will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and get their temperature taken.

• All individuals entering Faith Regional facilities are encouraged to wear a mask.
• All patient care staff will wear surgical masks and protective eye wear, as well as other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), at all times when caring for patients.
• Restricted entrances into the hospital and connected medical buildings to four locations.
• Patients needing Emergency Care, Labor & Delivery, and Elective Procedure services should enter through Faith Regional’s Emergency Entrance.
• Non-Emergent patients should enter through Faith Regional’s West Medical Office Building, located at 110 N. 29th Street.
• The entrance to the South Medical Office Building, at 2701 W. Norfolk Avenue, will remain open to those who have scheduled appointments at a clinic located there.
• The entrance to the North Medical Office Building, 301 N 27th Street, will remain open to those who have scheduled appointments at a clinic located there.
• Visitation remains prohibited. A symptom free support person will be allowed for Labor and Delivery patients; one symptom-free parent or guardian will be allowed for Pediatric patients; symptom free visitation for patient in end-of-life care with extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the facility.
• Six-foot social distances will be established in public areas such as waiting rooms.
• Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch, public surface areas will continue.
• Infectious patients will continue to be cared for in isolation, away from non-infectious patients.

Protocol updates will be shared as they evolve. We appreciate your consideration of the current situation for the safety of our region. 

For the latest on Coronavirus (COVID-19), we recommend visiting The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site and/or the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department web site.