Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Summer 2020

2 ACMC Pulse • acmchealth.org It has only been a few months since the last issue of Pulse , but it seems like a lifetime ago. The world is still coming to grips with the coronavirus, and we are adjusting to a new sense of what is normal. In all areas of our lives, there are still many questions as to how we move forward. For me, there is one certainty—safety is our top priority. It was before COVID-19, it is now, and it will be going forward. That commitment to safe patient care is demonstrated by our receiving an “A” rating for patient safety for the third consecutive rating period. This recognition comes from The Leapfrog Group, a national organization that rates hospital performance on key safety measures. We have followed—and continue to follow—the guidelines of the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Limiting entrances, prohibiting visitors, increasing our already comprehensive cleaning protocols, and screening everyone who enters our buildings were never things we wanted to do. We did them because they were the right thing to do to protect everyone who walks through our doors. The decisions we make today are just as crucial. With safety in mind, we are taking a methodical approach to ramping up services. We have to continue to err on the side of safety. No one knows for sure if the worst of the pandemic is truly behind us. Our approach ensures we are prepared to respond to whatever comes next. To help ensure a safe environment for everyone Welcome Safety remains our top priority We will do what it takes to keep our patients, their loved ones and our caregivers safe. —Michael Habowski, President and CEO ACMC Healthcare System who enters our buildings, we’ve put many safety protocols in place. Those include: + + Elective surgical patients are tested for COVID-19 a minimum of three days prior to surgery. + + All individuals entering ACMC facilities will continue to have their temperature taken and be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. + + All caregivers are required to wear a mask at all times, and we strongly encourage everyone entering our buildings to wear a mask. + + All care team members will wear appropriate per- sonal protective equipment while caring for patients. + + Visitors are still prohibited. + + Six-foot social distances have been established in waiting rooms and procedural areas. + + Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch, public surface areas will continue. + + Patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 will continue to be quarantined from other patients. You have my personal assurance that ACMC is a safe place to receive care. Please do not let fear cause you to delay receiving the care you need. Your long- term health and wellness should not be ignored. We are in this together. We’ll get through it together. Michael Habowski, President and CEO ACMC Healthcare System ACMC is honored to receive an “A” rating for Patient Safety for the third rating period in a row from The Leapfrog Group . See Page 13.