Woodstock Hospital Getting Ready to Resume Surgeries and Procedures

Wednesday, 27 May 2020 16:59

The Woodstock Hospital is going to start reintroducing surgeries, procedures and other services that were paused in anticipation of a potential surge of novel coronavirus cases.

WOODSTOCK HOSPITAL - The Woodstock Hospital is going to start reintroducing surgeries, procedures and other services that were paused in anticipation of a potential surge of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

The hospital’s proposal for the reintroduction of services was developed in conjunction with regional hospitals, and based on criteria outlined by the Ministry of Health.

Surgeries and procedures have been rescheduled based on urgency, risk and prioritization scale. The hospital will be conducting preoperative assessments virtually as well as by telephone, which may include anesthetic assessment, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Nursing.

Patients do not need to contact the hospital to reschedule their surgery or procedure. Physician offices will contact patients to book an appointment. Woodstock Hospital President and CEO Perry Lang says the sacrifices we have made are starting to pay off.

“The efforts of Oxford County residents to flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19 has allowed us to be in a position to gradually reintroduce services such as Surgical Services, Respiratory Services, and Diagnostic Services like CT, MRI, Ultrasound. The hospital will continue to collaborate with our community partners and monitor the COVID-19 prevalence rate to ensure the safety of all patients, families, staff and physicians and adjust our reintroduction plans accordingly.”

We understand that patients may be coming to the hospital for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The hospital would like to take this opportunity to remind patients of safety measures in place:

- We have limited our hospital entrances. Please use Juliana Drive and enter the main hospital entrance between 6:30 am-8:00 pm for your appointment.

- We have screening in place at the entrance. Our staff will ask you a series of questions and you will be asked to put on a mask.

- We have a “No Visitor Policy” in place. Critically ill, palliative, and Maternal Child patients are permitted one visitor, as well, a guardian can accompany their child in the Emergency Department. This policy is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Surgical
patients will need to make arrangements to be dropped off and provide a phone number that can be reached for pick up.

- Adhere to physical distancing guidelines of 2 metres/6 feet. There are decals on the floor to assist you. There are also Plexiglas barriers installed throughout the hospital, along with more signage. As an example, there are signs indicating the occupancy for elevators is limited to three people.

VP of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer Jayne Menard says they understand how tough it was on everyone waiting for a surgery.

“We understand the impact postponing surgeries is having on both patients, caregivers, and families. However, it is important to understand that this is a gradual, phased-in approach of services, and we will not be operating at the same level prior to COVID-19 to ensure we can maintain capacity for a potential surge of COVID patients.”

For the latest COVID-19 updates and information, follow Woodstock Hospital on Facebook and Twitter, or visit our website at www.wgh.on.ca.