AdventHealth is introducing a new screening process for patients seeking care at the ER.
The measures went into effect on March 25 at 5 p.m. and were put into place in an effort to fight the community spread of coronavirus.
“We know that people need care that is not related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kevin Roberts, CEO of AdventHealth Central Texas. “These changes to our screening process are an effort to keep everyone needing emergency care safe.”
All patients coming to the ER at AdventHealth Central Texas will be triaged, meaning their height weight and vitals will be taken and they will be screened for COVID-19, outside the hospital.
If the patient screens negative for COVID-19 they will then be seen in the ER.
If the patient screens positive for COVID-19, they will be referred to our Respiratory Illness Protocol Station (RIPS), located at the ER, for further screening.
AdventHealth says patients must screen positive for COVID-19 during triage and at the RIPS to receive a COVID-19 test.
In addition to this change in the ER, AdventHealth has also canceled all elective surgeries and procedures.
If a patient has a question regarding whether a procedure they have scheduled is considered elective, they should contact their doctor.
“These are scary times for people,” said Roberts, “but we want to assure the public that we are here to care for them in a safe environment.”
