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 “This measure is one that we are taking to protect
our community and our colleagues,” said Dr. Raj Govindaiah, Memorial
Health System senior vice president and chief medical officer. “This
will ensure that patients are screened and treated in accordance
with public health guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public
Health and Centers for Disease Control.”
“This is an important step that both hospitals are taking to make
sure we are able to care for all patients are coming to our
emergency department in the most efficient and safe way,” said Dr.
Gurpreet Mander, chief medical officer of HSHS St. John’s.
Patients will be screened in an area just outside the emergency
department of each hospital. Patients without respiratory symptoms
will be screened and sent to the emergency department check-in
areas.
If a patient has respiratory symptoms, one of the hallmarks of
COVID-19, he or she will go to a portable screening bay for
assessment. The patient then will be directed to appropriate
treatment settings.
Memorial Health System also on Monday began operating a respiratory
screening clinic at South Sixth ExpressCare, 2950 S. Sixth St.,
Springfield. The clinic will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven
days a week.
People coming to the respiratory clinic should call a hotline before
they arrive. That number is 217-588-4019. The clinic is open to
anyone with a respiratory problem that could be COVID-19.
In addition to the hotline, people can notify staff of their visit
to the Memorial respiratory clinic through the “On My Way” feature
Memorial Health System app. The app is available on the Apple Store,
Google Play Store and at mymemorialapp.com.
HSHS Medical Group Priority Care, 1836 S. MacArthur Blvd.,
Springfield is also operating a regional respiratory hub. Hours are
7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
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Reminder: What to Do If You Are Experiencing
Symptoms
If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms, please do not go
to the emergency room. First, call your primary care physician. If
you don’t have a physician, call the Sangamon County Department of
Public Health hotline at 217-321-2606.
About HSHS St. John’s Hospital
HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois is a regional
medical center offering a comprehensive array of health care
services to central and southern Illinois. Founded in 1875, St.
John’s is the flagship hospital of Hospital Sisters Health System
and is home to the Prairie Heart Institute, St. John’s Children’s
Hospital, St. John’s Women’s Services, St. John’s Neurosciences
Institute, St. John’s Cancer Center, orthopedic services and
AthletiCare. St. John’s now has one of the most advanced surgery
centers in the nation and a renovated patient tower. St. John’s is
designated as a level I trauma center, has its own college of
nursing and is a teaching hospital for the Southern Illinois
University School of Medicine. For more information about St. John’s
Hospital, visit www.st-johns.org.
About Memorial Health System
One of the leading healthcare organizations in Illinois, Memorial
Health System of Springfield is a community-based, not-for-profit
corporation dedicated to patient care, education and research. Our
more than 6,700 staff members, partnering physicians and hundreds of
volunteers are dedicated to improving the health of the communities
we have served since 1897. In a year, we serve an average of more
than 40,000 inpatients, more than 667,000 outpatients and more than
125,000 patients in our four Emergency Departments. Our highly
skilled team has a passion for excellence and is dedicated to
providing a great patient experience for every patient every time.
www.choosememorial.org
[Dean Olsen | Media Relations
Consultant | Communications
Memorial Health System] |
