SAHS Announces Changes to Protect Patients, Staff and Community
Due to the rapidly-changing environment caused by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Saint Alphonsus Health System will communicate multiple updates and developments with one statement. Please note that this release covers a number of changes being made to protect the health and well-being of our patients, hospital staff and our communities, including:
- Drive-up assessments now available
- Triage hotline established and available for online doctor visits
- Visitor and cafeteria guidance at SAHS hospitals
- Valet service at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
- Postponement of elective and non-emergency surgeries and procedures
DRIVE-UP ASSESSMENTS:
Effective today, Saint Alphonsus is offering drive-up COVID-19 assessments at the Meridian Health Plaza at 3025 West Cherry Lane. The respiratory screening will be available daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
If a patient arrives at a screening location but does not meet the criteria for testing, they will be provided education on virus prevention and risk factors.
Additional assessment locations in Boise, Nampa, and Fruitland are under consideration and will be announced at a later date.
COVID-19 TRIAGE HOTLINE/ONLINE APPOINTMENTS:
Saint Alphonsus has established a COVID-19 Triage phone line at (208) 302-2683. Nurses will provide answers on symptoms, screening locations, risk factors, prevention and more. The hotline will be answered from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week.
Additionally, patients may also seek care for mild conditions using MyeVisit online urgent care – a service staffed by Saint Alphonsus healthcare providers. From the comfort of home, patients can initiate a virtual visit using their smartphone or tablet. To learn more, set up an account, or login, visit www.myevisit.org.
VISITOR/CAFETERIA GUIDANCE:
To respond to the rapidly-changing COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Saint Alphonsus Health System is changing its visitor guidelines at its hospitals in Boise, Nampa, Ontario and Baker City.
Effective immediately, and until further notice, all routine visiting will be suspended at our hospital campuses. Exceptions have been made for certain patient groups, including:
- Pediatrics
- Maternity for the birth of a child
- Neonatal ICU
- Critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit
- Certified medical interpreters needed to help a patient communicate with healthcare workers
- End-of-life care
Based upon guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, visitors admitted to SAHS facilities will still need to meet the following guidelines:
- Visitors with respiratory symptoms (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, congestion) or fever above 100.4° F will be provided a mask and asked to return home or seek medical attention
- One visitor per patient at a time
- No visitors under 18 years of age
- Do not visit if you are sick
Families are encouraged to connect with patients by phone or the use of other technology, such as FaceTime or Skype.
Saint Alphonsus understands that these changes will represent a significant hardship for patients and families and do not take this decision lightly. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, the health system appreciates the understanding of its patients, their families, and our community to reduce the risk to others.
In addition, the use of the cafeteria facilities at all Saint Alphonsus hospitals will be limited to colleagues and approved visitors.
VALET SERVICE:
Effective immediately, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center will no longer offer valet parking services in order to protect our colleagues. We will have our shuttle service available to transport patients from the parking lots.
NON-EMERGENCY PROCEDURES POSTPONED:
Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and at the suggestion of the United States Surgeon General, we have made the decision to postpone all elective and non-emergent surgeries and invasive procedures until further notice.
All these actions are being implemented out of an abundance of caution to ensure access to critical resources required for the care of all patients in our facilities. It is necessary to protect patients, hospital staff and visitors from acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 while under our care.
As the region’s most advanced Level II trauma center we will continue to perform urgent and emergent surgery and procedures, including those that if delayed would have significant medical deterioration or materially impact the patient’s prognosis, morbidity or treatment plan, as determined by the patient’s surgeon.