Atrium Medical Center Begins Patient Screenings Outside Emergency Entrance
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Jennifer Burcham
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Atrium Medical Center Begins Patient Screenings
Outside Emergency Entrance
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (March 20, 2020) – In order to provide the safest possible environment for patients, visitors and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, Atrium Medical Center has established a patient screening area outside its Emergency Trauma Center.
The designated area, which was operational March 19, has been set up in accordance with infection-prevention protocols and allows those expressing respiratory issues to be kept separate from incoming trauma patients.
“This split flow of operations allows us to safely and efficiently assess any patient who has symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus,” said Jill Aston, MD, medical director of Atrium Medical Center’s Level III Emergency Trauma Center. “This proactive measure for patient management will protect high-risk patients and mitigate the impact on the Emergency Trauma Center.”
When patients arrive, they will be greeted by a staff member outside the Emergency Trauma Center entrance. Patients with respiratory symptoms will be taken to a medical tent for additional screenings and care. Alternatively, those who do not show fever and respiratory symptoms will be directed to the main Emergency Trauma Center entrance for appropriate care.
The new measure is to help facilitate existing screening procedures for those entering the Emergency Trauma Center and is not a public testing location.
Those who believe they have symptoms of COVID-19 should call their primary care physician or make a virtual visit, and not go to the emergency department, which is for those in need of the most critical care, Aston said.
“This is imperative so our hospitals are not over capacity and our most vulnerable patients can be treated first,” she said. “Many individuals with mild symptoms will not need to be tested and will be instructed to isolate themselves from others. If you have symptoms and suspect you have been exposed, contact your primary care doctor. If you qualify for testing, your doctor will provide further instruction.”
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About Atrium Medical Center
Atrium Medical Center is a full-service hospital and Level III Trauma Center located conveniently along the Interstate 75 corridor at exit 32, One Medical Center Drive in Middletown, between Cincinnati and Dayton. The hospital employs more than 1,500 people in full-time, part-time and on-call positions. Atrium is operated by Dayton-based nonprofit Premier Health.
