~ Healthcare services expanding as patients now have ability to schedule needed procedures in addition to emergency and inpatient care at Central Florida Regional Hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Oviedo Medical Center and Poinciana Medical Center ~
Upon Gov. Ron DeSantis issuing Executive Order 20-112 on Monday, May 4, physicians are actively scheduling medical procedures at all four of HCA Healthcare’s hospitals in Central Florida. This action expands needed health care for area residents as patients, in consultation with their physicians can schedule needed procedures, as well as access emergency and inpatient services that have continued to be available to the community through Central Florida Regional Hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Oviedo Medical Center and Poinciana Medical Center.
HCA Healthcare’s Central Florida hospitals remain diligent in the fight against COVID-19, and the health and safety of patients, caregivers and communities is and will continue to be the top priority. Hospital leaders continue to monitor the trajectory of the pandemic as well as state and federal policies, as they begin to thoughtfully re-introduce scheduled procedures and surgeries to ensure that those who have been waiting for important care have access to treatment.
Through HCA Healthcare, the hospitals’ access to resources and their commitment to safety protocols uniquely prepares each to reintroduce these services. Care teams at both hospitals understand that many people in the community have medical needs unrelated to COVID-19 and they urge residents to recognize emergencies and seek care when needed as the hospitals remain a safe place. Over the past few months, each hospital has been and will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maintaining and often exceeding their guidance. The hospitals are taking a four pillar approach for universal protection to help ensure the safety of patients and colleagues:
- Infection Prevention: Continue to implement universal masking throughout the facility where all caregivers wear masks; follow the surgical algorithm for testing patients prior to surgery; continued heightened infection prevention policies, including the removal of high-touch items such as magazines, toys and vending machines.
- Access Control: Continue to screen all patients, visitors and staff before entering facilities; continue to limit and control entrances into the facility; maintain visitor restrictions
- Patient Flow: Continue to treat COVID-19 patients in isolated areas of the hospital separate from other patients in our care. Patients with scheduled procedures are assigned caregivers who are not caring for COVID-19 patients during their shift.
- Distancing: Social distancing practices will continue and protocols will be in place within hospital areas such as waiting rooms to ensure adherence to these practices.
Hospital teams are in continuous communication with state and local health departments, and the surgeons who have direct responsibility for their patients and have established enhanced protections throughout sites of care to create a safe environment for everyone who walks through the hospitals’ doors. Central Florida Regional Hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Oviedo Medical Center and Poinciana Medical Center continue to follow Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommendations as they evolve, and will accommodate procedures that physicians determine to be appropriate within those recommendations.