BAYLOR SCOTT AND WHITE ANNOUNCES CHANGES FOR PATIENTS, VISITORS DUE TO COVID-19
Baylor Scott and White has made effective several changes for incoming patients and visitors to its hospitals, as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.
Visitors and patients must now enter Baylor Scott and White hospitals through designated entrances, and are being screened upon arrival. Patients are being screened at registration, while visitors are being screened at entry points based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for identifying respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
Baylor Scott and White is now limiting the number of visitors who pass the screening to two during visiting hours, and entry has been temporarily suspended for those under the age of 16.
In anticipation of future needs related to the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, Baylor Scott and White officials say patients may receive requests to reschedule non-clinically urgent procedures. Baylor Scott and White will continue to treat patients with emergency or immediate and serious needs who are not able to postpone medical interventions. Officials with Baylor Scott and White say they are balancing the ability to respond to patients in need with preparedness efforts needed to sustain service to the community.
If patients are worried they may have been exposed to COVID-19, or are experiencing flu-like symptoms, Baylor Scott and White asks that they use the MyBSWHealth app to take a free coronavirus screening. Patients can test BETTER to 88408 to have the app sent to their phone. Following their screening questionnaire, they may be prompted to complete an eVisit, which may be evaluated by a Baylor Scott and White provide who can advise on the appropriate next steps.
Baylor Scott and White has also cancelled several upcoming events, including Walk with a Doc and Diamonds and Denim on April 4th, and Senior Day on April 8th. Officials say those events were cancelled after much consideration, and out of an abundance of caution.