South DSM News

Pella Regional Health Center issued the following announcement on Mar. 16. 

To protect the health of our patients and their families due to the recent cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, Pella Regional Health Center will screen all patients and visitors before entering the main campus of Pella Regional and Pella Regional’s family of clinics located in Pella, Knoxville, Ottumwa and Prairie City. The screenings and the restrictions will take place beginning at 6:30 am on Tuesday, March 17.

 With recent cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, we are limiting the number of public entrances to our hospital. Entrances 1, 5, and 6 will be closed to the public until further notice; this includes the main hospital entrance.

 Patients and visitors entering the hospital or our medical clinics in Pella, Knoxville, Ottumwa, and Prairie City will be screened for respiratory symptoms. These include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and a review of recent travel history. Our family of medical clinics will be open for patients during normal business hours.

 Please allow extra time for the screening process prior to your scheduled visit. We understand these screenings may be an inconvenience, but it’s an important step to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. We appreciate your help protecting our patients and families.

  Entrances open to patients and visitors:

• Emergency Department (Entrance 2) Always open
• Pella Medical Clinic (Entrance 3) Monday through  Friday 6:45 am to 7 pm, Saturday 8 am to 7 pm, and Sunday 12 pm to 7 pm.
• Wound Care and Cardiac Services (Entrance 7) Monday  through Friday 6:30 am to 5 pm. This entrance is only open to Wound Care and Cardiac Services patients.
• Specialty/Oncology/Infusion, Rheumatology Clinics (Entrance 4) Monday  through Friday 8 am to 5 pm. This entrance is only open to Oncology, Rheumatology, Infusion, Specialty Clinic patients, and those with limited mobility.

Pella Regional is also temporarily suspending clinical operations at Medical Clinic in Sully as well as Medical Clinic in Bussey to reallocate resources and staffing needs. Patients of those clinics will be able to see their current providers at Medical Clinic in Knoxville during this time. Patients can call the main clinic scheduling line at 641-621-2200 to schedule appointments. 

Patients who routinely pick up prescriptions filled by Pella Regional Pharmacy at Medical Clinic in Bussey will need to pick them up at Pella Regional’s Retail Pharmacy on the Square located at 802 Washington St. in Pella.

Visitor Restrictions: The following visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary:

• Only one primary caregiver is allowed per patient. Primary caregivers include, but are not limited to:

• • Parents/Stepparents/legal guardians
  • Spouse/Significant other
  • Other defined caregivers
• Primary caregivers:
  • 16 years of age and older (including sibling caregivers)
  • Siblings are not allowed unless 16 years of age and defined caregiver
  • Always remain in patient room as appropriate
  • Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
  • Must be free from illness such as (fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)
  • Exceptions may be made in certain situations and can be discussed with patient care teams.
  • All caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting patient’s room.

 We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients, staff, family, friends, and our community.

 Pella Regional continues to encourage the public to follow prevention measures that are the same for other respiratory illnesses:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Contain germs by staying home when ill
• The CDC does not recommend face masks for the general public

 If your symptoms are worsening, please call Pella Regional at 641-621-2200 to speak with a nurse. If you feel your symptoms are emergent, go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.

For general questions about COVID-19, please contact the Iowa Department of Public Health’s hotline at 2-1-1, available 24/7, or visit their website at www.idph.iowa.gov.

Pella Regional also has a way for patients to communicate to their provider through the My Pella Health Patient Portal to provide patients with instant access to their personal health information without visiting their provider. Patients will have access to:

• View and request appointments
• Request medication refills
• View lab results
• Send messages to their provider
• Review their medical information (conditions, allergies, immunizations, etc.).

For more information on the My Pella Health Patient Portal, please call 641-628-6792.

We are currently monitoring this evolving situation as it unfolds throughout Iowa and the nation. We will continue to update the public on any changes that may occur. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Pella Regional Health Center