By Holly Wolff, CEO
Roundup, MT- As the number of COVID-19 cases rise in our state, Roundup Memorial Healthcare is collaborating on a daily basis with health care facilities around the region to share expertise and prepare for an increase of patients requiring a high level of care. Together with regional partners and public health, we are closely monitoring the number of patients with COVID-19 in our community as well as those who have tests pending. RMH is also focused on planning for personal protective equipment and other essential medical equipment.
As a regional system, rural health care organizations are working in tandem along with Billings Clinic in the event that one community gets an influx of patients, so we can seamlessly share resources and move patients to another facility in some cases. This collaboration will help ensure patients in rural areas get the level of care they need.
“As part of the larger network of rural towns in Montana, our community understands the importance of our role in social distancing and responsible personal health habits that affect the entire state. Roundup is leading these efforts and have been the model of a community that is rallying together for a positive impact. As each person in our county does their part to contribute to the success of these efforts, RMH is doing our part to ensure we are prepared for all scenarios that may occur during the peak of this outbreak. We have developed a surge plan internally at the hospital and our staff have been phenomenal in implementing changes for readiness with a team-based approach. In addition, RMH has surge plan partnerships between nearby Critical Access Hospitals and continued preparations for transport and admission with Billings Clinic and St. Vincent hospitals.”
To help support social distancing, Roundup Memorial Healthcare is also offering telephone or online appointments whenever possible for primary and outreach specialty care.
Everyone can continue to do their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by social distancing per Gov. Steve Bullock’s Stay at Home Order. Additional prevention measures include:
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or coughing into your elbow.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, including countertops and sinks.
RMH has a phone line for information about COVID-19 at 406-323-3337. The phone line is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The following are guidelines to follow for seeking care for respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath):
• If you are sick and have mild symptoms, stay home and self-isolate.
• If you are sick enough that you would normally go to the doctor, call ahead for instructions.
• If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
• To avoid spreading respiratory illnesses, please do not show up at your doctor’s office without calling in advance for instructions.
• If you are coming for your scheduled appointment, we ask that you please refrain from bringing extra friends, family or children.
Not everyone who is showing these symptoms needs to be tested for COVID-19.
Guest and visitor restrictions to the health care facility are also temporarily in place.
In this time of crisis, it is essential that health care organizations work together and that the public follows public health recommendations to slow the spread of this disease.
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