Officials at Methodist Healthcare held a news conference today announcing steps they are taking to insure their hospitals are as safe as possible as coronavirus concerns increase.
Methodist is taking steps to modify some of the procedures at all of the Methodist Healthcare hospitals.
"I want to make it very clear that we have no cases of the COVID-19 virus in any of our hospitals," said Paul Hancock, Chief Medical Officer for Methodist Healthcare in San Antonio.
Methodist Healthcare will be making several operational changes including:
- Restricted access to hospital - Access to the hospitals will be limited to a few entrances to be able to screen those potential patients and guests with some simple questions. Do you have a cough? Do you have a fever? Do you have a significant travel history?, etc. And those people who are at some risk for COVID-19, they'll be asked to wear a mask.
- Change Emergency Room Intake Process - Instead of people walking across the reception area in the emergency room, there will be an employee right at the door to ask them those screening questions.
Methodist Healthcare says it will continue to monitor things and could make further modifications in the future.