“We realise that with the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, it is necessary for us to manage the situation responsibly in the best interests of our patients and health care workers”
AS FROM today all patients will be screened before they will be allowed to enter Mediclinic Gariep or Mediclinic Kimberley.
This was stated by the spokesperson for Mediclinic, Denise Coetzee, who explained that the screening would take place at the main entrance to both hospitals, as well as at the Emergency Centre at Mediclinic Gariep.
“All persons will be questioned about their travel history and about any respiratory symptoms. If they answer ‘yes’ they will be given a surgical mask and be directed to the Emergency Centre where we have identified an isolation room and further evaluation will take place,” said Coetzee.
She stated that they would then be evaluated by the hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control team and Emergency Centre team who would decide whether the person fitted the case definition for Covid-19 or not.
“Testing will be done on the persons that fit the case definition and sent home (if well enough) with instructions to self-isolate at home for 14 days. Doctors’ surgeries will be notified if such a person has an appointment with a doctor, before they are sent home.”
Coetzee stated further that if a patient fitted the case definition and needs admission, the patient would be admitted in the hospital’s isolation cubicles with all the required isolation precautions.
“We will take every precaution to prevent the spread of the virus through our facility. For many years we have implemented sound Infection Prevention and Control policies in our hospital. We believe if we comply with these policies and enforce them, we will be limiting our risks to staff and doctors. We have further strictly implemented the protocols laid out by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).”
Meanwhile, visiting hours at the hospital will also be restricted.
“We realise that with the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, it is necessary for us to manage the situation responsibly in the best interests of our patients and health care workers,” Coetzee added.
“We believe that allowing patients access to their loved ones is an essential part of their recovery and wellness, but that it is important to reduce the risk for all. As a result, we implemented the following temporary measures with respect to visitors with immediate effect. Visiting hours are limited to 3pm to 4pm and 7pm to 8pm. No more than one visitor is allowed per bed in any unit. Surgical patients may only have one individual as support on the day of surgery. As the local situation evolves, the above decision will be reassessed.”
Netcare, which includes Netcare 911 and Medicross medical and dental centres, has warned the public that the hospital group is not doing door-to-door Covid-19 screening.
“Netcare has been made aware that criminals are going to homes in various areas, claiming to be from Netcare or Netcare 911, and saying that they are assisting the Department of Health with door-to-door screening for Covid-19 (coronavirus),” Netcare said in a statement.
“Please note that staff members from the Netcare Group, including from Netcare hospitals, Netcare 911 or Medicross medical and dental centres, are not doing door-to-door Covid-19 screening. Should someone claiming to be a representative from Netcare, Netcare 911 or Medicross arrive at your home or business premises claiming to do screening for the novel coronavirus, do not allow them onto your property or inside your business premises for your own safety but please alert the SAPS immediately.”
