South DSM News

Pella Regional Health Center issued the following announcement on May 29. 

Pella Regional Health Center established a Patient Assessment Center (PAC) that began seeing patients with respiratory or infectious symptoms on March 27. The PAC will see patients through Sunday, May 31. Patients with respiratory or infectious symptoms will then be seen at the Walk-In Clinic at Pella Medical Clinic starting Monday, June 1.

Patients with cough, upper respiratory symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sinus or ear infection, and other respiratory or infectious symptoms will be directed to a designated parking spot to wait for car-side screening and registration. When it is time for the appointment patients will be called, asked to wear a face mask and be directed to meet a nurse inside to be taken directly into a designated room so they do not have to register at the desk or wait in the waiting areas.

Patients who need to be swabbed for a COVID test will be directed to a designated parking spot to wait for car-side service. Patients needing only a COVID test will not need to enter the building in most cases.

Patients who do not have respiratory or infectious symptoms will be asked to park their car and proceed to the entrance for screening. All patients over the age of two are required to wear a face mask or covering. If patients do not have one, they will be given one to use during their appointment.

Pella Regional has resumed most services and has taken extra safety precautions to minimize exposure to COVID-19 while visiting our facilities. For more information on specific safety precautions, visit PellaHealth.org/taking-safety-seriously/.

• Limiting visitors
• Allowing for social distancing in public spaces
• All staff, providers, patients and visitors required to wear masks
• Screening patients and visitors for symptoms prior to entry
• Separate rooms for well visits and patients with infectious symptoms
• Checking provider and staff temperatures and symptoms prior to the start of shift
• Safe appointment registration
• Ongoing cleaning and sanitizing of facilities
• Continuing to offer Virtual Visits

Pella Regional also wants to remind the public there are ways they can help ensure their own safety in this pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you become ill.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Effective June 1, Walk-In Clinic at Pella Medical Clinic will resume normal hours and Retail Pharmacy on the Square will continue with their current temporary hours:

• Walk-In Clinic at Pella Medical Clinic:
  • Monday – Saturday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Sunday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• Retail Pharmacy on the Square:
  • Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Sunday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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

Original source can be found here.