WHMS Updates Visitor Policy, Homemade Gowns and Caps Needed

ATKINSON — West Holt Medical Services (WHMS) has made the following changes in response to its COVID-19 preparedness plan.

Staffing
To protect its healthcare workforce, WHMS has diligently worked towards getting as many of its staff members set up to work from home. Beginning Monday, April 6 fewer employees will be working on the WHMS campus. WHMS continues to keep all of its employees on payroll.

Masking Policy
All patients, visitors and vendors will be required to wear a mask while inside the WHMS facility. Individuals may use their own mask, or one will be provided when they arrive. To preserve the supply of masks, frequent visitors will be asked to keep and reuse their mask. WHMS continues to perform screening precautions on all who enter.

Visitor Policy
Visitors are now limited to one adult (18 years of age or older) per patient at a time. This includes visitors accompanying patients to the emergency room, clinics and hospital inpatient areas.

Facility Changes
WHMS has worked to reconfigure its facility to separate well patients from those with respiratory illnesses. When patients call in to schedule an appointment, they will be directed to one of three entrances on the WHMS campus based on their symptoms.

Homemade PPE Donations
WHMS continues to be diligent in ensuring the hospital is fully resourced to take care of the community. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a nationwide shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). WHMS is not out of PPE, however they want to ensure an ample supply is in stock should it be needed.

Local community members have come forward asking how they can help. The community can play a part in helping WHMS conserve PPE by donating homemade isolation gowns and/or caps.

An isolation gown is typically a disposable paper gown that healthcare staff like providers and nurses wear when attending to a contagious patient. The gowns are typically thrown out after each visit with a patient. Unlike the paper gowns, the homemade gowns and caps will be effectively washed and reused.

WHMS is currently accepting hand sewn gowns and caps, or donations of cotton or cotton/polyester blend fabric in at least 2-yard lengths, new or gently worn bedsheets, as well as elastic, bias tape and thread. Each isolation gown requires approximately 4 yards of fabric.

Donations may be dropped off at the Therapy Services building south of West Holt Hospital at 406 West Neely Street in Atkinson, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information on donating gowns and caps to WHMS contact volunteer coordinator, Karen Nollette at (402) 340-2575.

For the latest changes happening at WHMS, CLICK HERE.