Glendive Medical Center Will Begin Performing Elective Surgeries
Following Phase I directives by Governor Steve Bullock, Glendive Medical Center (GMC) will resume performing elective procedures beginning on Monday, May 4th. The overall strategy to resume patient care operations follows thoughtful, rational, and safe guidelines to protect patients and staff as COVID-19 cases slowly continue in Montana.
“Since March, only urgent and emergent cases have been performed,” stated Parker Powell, Chief Executive Officer, “We have put together a thorough plan that identifies all safety measures for surgical procedures and will begin scheduling patients this week.” The plan outlines specific guidelines for patients prior to surgery, including COVID-19 testing. “In order to protect our patients and our staff, these elective procedures will only be performed on confirmed COVID-19 negative patients,” states Parker.
Beginning on Wednesday, April 29, GMC will start performing COVID-19 testing on patients who are scheduled for upcoming elective procedures. Since the turnaround time for testing is 3-5 business days (all tests are sent to Mayo), the surgery date must be at least 5 days after the patient is tested. The testing will be conducted Monday thru Friday inside the front entrance of the Gabert Clinic from 8am -11am.
The time between the pre-procedural test and the date of the procedure, the patient must self-quarantine and follow these guidelines:
• Stay in their home unless they are having a medical emergency.
• Wear a facemask while in the same room with other people.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Immediately place the used tissue in a lined trashcan. Wash hands right away with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Use a nickel-sized amount of sanitizer.
• Don’t share food, drinks, dishes, eating utensils, towels or bedding with other people or pets. Dishes, towels and bedding should be thoroughly washed and dried on the hottest setting appropriate.
• Use household disinfectants to regularly clean high-touch surfaces. That includes counters, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, remote controls, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables.
• Please contact GMC right away if you start to experience any fever, cough or shortness of breath.
All staff, patients, and the accompanying support person will be symptom screened with temperature checks upon arrival to the hospital and are required to wear masks at all times. Masks are provided for patients and their support people. Only one person is allowed to accompany a patient and is to remain in the waiting room. Only one person is allowed in the waiting room at a time (surgeries will be scheduled to accommodate this requirement), and the waiting room will be sanitized after each person leaves the area.
"We are optimistic about beginning elective surgeries again as patients who have needed surgical procedures have been patiently waiting. We will continue to perform urgent and emergent surgeries without COVID-19 testing due to the turn-around time for tests, but patients can be assured that our surgical center follows rigorous sanitization protocols for the safety of both patients and staff,” stated Parker.
For up-to-date information about patient and visitor guidelines at GMC, please visit www.gmc.org/COVID-19
