By now, you’ve been flooded with information about how the COVID-19 pandemic is rolling out across the world. There are lots of tragic stories, but also accounts of how this crisis is bringing people together, from helping to create and distribute supplies, to checking in on the most vulnerable people in our community. We are all working together to make the best of it.
Here at St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) pictured above, we continue to prepare for the worst while still caring for our community. Our goal is still to provide the best care, while protecting our health care workers.
This is how we’re doing it:
- All access to the hospital will remain through the main door, where every person will be screened with respect to respiratory symptoms. Everyone who enters will have their temperature taken by tympanic (ear) thermometer.
- Anyone who has respiratory symptoms and/or an elevated temperature will be redirected to our recently-constructed respiratory zone. The hospital staff will direct you how to access that zone. No one will be turned away.
- Outpatient services such as lab and diagnostic imaging (x-rays, ultrasounds) are restricted to urgent and emergency care. Dynacare labs will remain open in the clinic building (North side door – follow the signs) and appointments for lab work are being taken by telephone – at 613.756.5731. Prepare to be asked the same screening questions about your symptoms.
- Care from your doctor or the staff at the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team is still available, although most of the care is being provided by telephone or video link. Please call your usual provider’s office number to get direction from one of our staff.
- If your family doctor is not available, or if you do not have a family doctor, please call the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre at 1-877-727-6404.
We are also very encouraged by the efforts of our local businesses in combatting the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, by encouraging physical distancing, using hand sanitizer or other disinfectants, or by making a sacrifice by being closed during this crisis.
We see that you, too are playing a part in reducing the spread of the virus by physical distancing and frequent handwashing. Keep up the good work! We know that the longer we take all these measures, the more people will stay healthy.
As a hospital, as always we are here for you – but we ask that you continue to do your part to keep our community as healthy as possible during this crisis.
Useful websites:
Click HERE for Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre
Click HERE for Renfrew County and District Health Unit information on COVID-19
Click HERE for St. Francis Memorial Hospital
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