Worcester, MA – Saint Vincent Hospital officially announces its COVID SAFETY standards. As more people start to enter the hospital during the gradual phases of reopening, they can expect to be screened for fever, respiratory symptoms or travel to high risk locations prior to entering. Patients and restricted visitors are required to wear a facemask and sanitize their hands. Specifically designated waiting areas allow physical distancing and include additional cleaning protocols.

Any visitor or patient not meeting screening criteria will not be permitted to enter the hospital. All staff, physicians, patients and visitors have been and will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the building.

“Saint Vincent Hospital’s COVID SAFETY standards were created to ease the minds of patients and their loved ones,” said Saint Vincent Hospital CEO, Carolyn Jackson. “As we continue through phase 1 of re-opening to phase 2 and beyond, our priority is offering safe care for those who have delayed receiving certain urgent healthcare services.”

The COVID SAFETY standards were developed with key principles in mind to maximize safety – maintain vigilance of all potential risks, create separate care pathways and take a multi-factor approach to maintaining a safe environment for patients and visitors.

Saint Vincent Hospital’s COVID SAFETY standards are built upon deep clinical expertise and ongoing management of COVID-19, as well as continuous incorporation of CDC, CMS and state recommendations. They are a rigorous combination of infection prevention processes, training, testing, personal protective equipment and technology. Standards include the following components:

• Rigorous physician and staff protocols – daily screening, universal masking and access to PPE
• Heightened sanitization – enhanced cleaning of surfaces and plenty of hand sanitization stations
• Access to COVID-19 testing – testing for patients, physicians and staff who require it
• Precautions for patients and visitors – provision of facemasks, hand sanitizer and physical distancing
• Enhanced virtual access – virtual care, remote monitoring as well as connectivity with loved ones

“Our COVID SAFETY standards will help patients confidently seek care at our hospitals and allow our community to be less worried for loved ones. We are providing the reassurance that our patients, staff and their families deserve,” said Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, Chief Medical Officer of Saint Vincent Hospital. “I am proud of the work of our team to quickly implement and optimize these standards to provide care for patients in the safest environment possible.”