Q&A: Some policies changing in July

CLOVIS — Plains Regional Medical Center Administrator Drew Dostal, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, provides weekly updates to The News.

Here are parts of a Q&A conducted Monday with Dostal:

You have some visitor policies that will change for July. What are they?

There are minor tweaks to a few different things, but the big ones most of the people will notice is we’ll allow one visitor for patients in the inpatient setting. Another change is that two visitors at a time can come in for pediatric matters. We’ll also allow one visitor for visiting hours.

They’ll be screened, just like they were before, and they’ll be required to wear a mask. We’ll make any restrictions to the visitor policies as necessary based on the data.

What have you been able to do with communication apps to deal with the obstacle of limited face-to-face interactions?

Because of the state of emergency that’s been declared, it’s opened up the ability to use platforms we haven’t got to because of (privacy laws). There’s obviously still a need for HIPAA, but (a loosening of restrictions) gives us extra tools in recognition of the fact it’s difficult to get people to visit when there’s a pandemic.

We try to go off of what’s on their device. I will say Facetime is popular. I’m not familiar with all of the options as I’m not a techie, but on Facebook there’s a messenger people have been using. WhatsApp is also popular.

Are there any COVID-19 patients being treated at PRMC?

Not at the moment.

Have you had to take patients from other facilities due to COVID-19?

We still have not.

How many open beds as of Monday?

34

What is the status of employees and COVID-19 tests? Are there any additional positive tests?

We don’t have any additional cases. We still believe the cases were due to community exposure and not the hospital. (Editor’s note: Dostal would not elaborate on whether the employees were cleared to return to work.)

— Compiled by Editor Kevin Wilson