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Public Announcement – May 6th

As announced by Illinois Department of Public Health, beginning May 11 hospitals in the State of Illinois may resume elective surgeries. Morrison Community Hospital announced plans to begin a phased, measured and clinically lead process to resume surgeries for certain elective and procedures.

Effective May 12,Morrison Community Hospital will gradually introduce the availability of elective surgeries and procedures while continuing efforts to serve our patients. We will proceed in stages with guidance from local health officials, state, and CDC guidance. “This planning has been led by our clinicians and we are prepared to safely introduce elective procedures”, stated Dr. George Georgiev, Medical Director.

Pam Pfister, CEO, stated “we will continue to implement CDC recommended infection control precautions with enhanced safeguards to minimize exposure”. These additional safeguards include:

  • Screening all employees for symptoms before they begin their work day. They are taking their temperature immediately upon arrival before they interact with patients.
  • We are pre-screening all patients for COVID 19 symptoms prior to surgery and/or procedure.
  • All surgical patients will be tested for COVID 19 within 72 hours of surgery.
  • Environmental services has been and will continue to perform rigorous disinfecting measures.
  • Visitor and vendor restrictions will continue to be enforced.
  • Universal Masking with be mandatory for all staff, visitors, and patients this includes anyone over the age of two. We are encouraging all visitors and patients to use their own masks.
  • Waiting room distancing – waiting room distancing has been arranged to ensure social distancing. The Family Care Clinic of the first floor will enforce an occupancy max of 10.
  • All surgical patients will be met at the door by a surgical nurse and the patients temperature will be taken before registering. Family members will be asked to wait in their cars. The OR staff will keep in contact with the family member providing updates via cell phones. Patients under the age of 18 will be allowed one family member and/or guardian to accompany them. Individuals requiring a wheelchair for ambulating will also be allowed one person to accompany them as well.

With the reintroduction of elective procedures, our staff will begin contacting patients to schedule and/or reschedule procedures. Clinical judgment to prioritize scheduling for patients will be based upon most immediate needs.

For our clinic services, we are continuing services through telehealth and gradually scheduling face-toface visits. All clinic patients will be asked to wait in their cars and screened by our admitting staff prior to being called in for their visit.

“Our return to surgery and clinic services approach is in compliance with county, state, and federal guidelines. Our staff is working closely with our physicians to keep our patients, associates, and community safe through this time of transition”, stated Pam Pfister, CEO. If you have any questions regarding elective surgeries, please call 815-772-5511.