GASTONIA, NC – Following a brief pause in non-time sensitive and non-emergent
procedures due to the early ripples of COVID-19, CaroMont Health today
announced all elective procedures and surgeries will resume on Monday,
May 18. Additionally, all CaroMont Health medical offices are actively
rescheduling appointments that may have been postponed, including sick
visits, well checks and annual physicals. While COVID-19 remains a concern
across the country, the health system is taking steps to ensure strict
safety protocols are in place in all facilities and clinics.
“Our restart of services and procedures has been guided by what is
best for the care and safety of patients, medical and nursing staff, and
employees,” said Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Medical Officer for CaroMont
Health. “Since COVID-19 became a concern in our community, patients
who required urgent and emergent procedures have received treatment, and
we have been working to implement appropriate safety protocols in anticipation
of restarting all procedures. We have been slightly more conservative
than other health systems in our phasing, but we felt it was important
to take a very measured approach that allowed members of our medical staff
to guide the process.”
Hospital and Outpatient Procedures and Surgeries
Using guidance from the American College of Surgeons, North Carolina Department
of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
CaroMont Health has utilized a phased approach to responsibly restarting
procedures at CaroMont Regional Medical Center and CaroMont Specialty
Surgery. This phasing has not only helped prioritize patients whose procedures
may have been postponed over the last 30 days, but it has ensured the
implementation of critical safety protocols, including pre-procedure COVID-19
testing and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), to protect patients
and healthcare staff.
The rescheduling of endoscopy procedures, at the hospital and at CaroMont
Endoscopy Center, and imaging services at all CaroMont Imaging locations
in Gastonia and Belmont, have also resumed.
Medical Offices
CaroMont Health’s network of more than 50 primary and specialty care
offices has also started rescheduling appointments and accepting new appointments
in all offices. Virtual visits and telehealth options continue to be available
and encouraged for new and existing patients. Patients may contact their
doctor’s office to book new appointments and reschedule postponed
appointments. Patients who suspect that they have or have been exposed
to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of the virus (fever, cough,
shortness of breath) should continue to call the office or urgent care
location prior to going in.
“Virtual visits have been very popular during this time, and we expect
those will remain a convenient and preferable option for many patients”
explained Dr. Costa Andreou, Executive Vice President for CaroMont Medical
Group. “However, there are certain circumstances where being seen
by your physician or provider inside the clinic is critical for your health
and even your peace of mind. We want our patients to feel safe and comfortable
when they are inside our clinics, so we have implemented extensive safety
measures to limit contact with others and ensure surfaces are cleaned
and sanitized.”
New Safety Measures
Patients being seen in any CaroMont Health facility can expect to experience
new safety measures including health and temperature screening prior to
entering the building, occupancy limitations in lobbies and waiting areas,
and the requirement that all patients and visitors wear masks or face
coverings. Likewise, all CaroMont Health employees and medical staff are
required to complete daily health and temperature screening and wear masks,
regardless of their role. Visitor restrictions remain in place at all
CaroMont Health locations and facilities.
“COVID-19 will likely continue to be a public health concern for
many, many months,” said Dr. Davis. “We will continue to monitor
the situation and adjust our approach as necessary to ensure patients
get the care they need in the safest possible environment.”