For Immediate Release

April 29, 2020

Contact:

Jeffrey Scott, Director of Marketing and Development

740.393.9085

Jeffrey.Scott@KCH.org

Knox Community Hospital To Resume Medical Procedures

Following Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement on Monday, April 27, Knox Community Hospital will begin gradually resuming a variety of surgeries, medical procedures, and diagnostic testing and imaging that will not require an overnight hospital stay.

In compliance with the state’s order restricting nonessential surgeries and procedures on March 19, KCH postponed a number of scheduled cases that did not meet the state’s criteria as essential. Under the new guidance, those delayed procedures will now begin to be rescheduled.

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority,” said Dr. Jeffrey Northup, Chief Medical Officer at Knox Community Hospital. “Over the past two months, we’ve implemented a number of new safety protocols and procedures, including telemedicine visits, visitor restrictions, and screenings stations for staff and patients at all entrances, to ensure that our patients, workforce, and community are safe and protected. As we begin to enter this next phase of recovery, we’ll continue to take the same approach.”

In the coming days and weeks, KCH staff will be contacting patients who have had a procedure postponed to reassess their individual needs and to either reschedule the procedure or to schedule a telehealth appointment with their provider to jointly consider how to move forward.

Currently, all persons entering KCH, including staff, patients and approved visitors, are required to wear a mask or face covering. This requirement went into effect on Monday, April 27, and has been implemented as an additional safety precaution against the spread of COVID-19. Members of the public are encouraged to wear their own face covering when arriving at any KCH facility. Anyone who does not have their own mask will be provided one for use for the duration of their visit. 

“Despite the continued caution surrounding the pandemic, it is vital that patients continue to seek medical attention for their healthcare needs, especially those with chronic or pre-existing conditions,” said Dr. Northup. “KCH facilities are a safe place to receive care and treatment, and our providers and clinicians are eager to work with you to provide the best possible care for your needs in the safest environment.”

Knox Community Hospital is a 99-bed, community-owned, not-for-profit hospital offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services across more than thirty areas of specialty including interventional cardiology, orthopedics, medical and radiation oncology, women’s health, and bariatric medicine among others. KCH is located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and serves residents of Knox and surrounding counties with award-winning care and personalized customer service. Visit www.KCH.org.

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Universal Mask Initiative in all KCH Facilities

To enhance previously enacted measures taken to minimize the potential for the spread of COVID-19 during the course of healthcare interactions, Knox Community Hospital is initiating Universal Masking in all of its facilities, effective Monday, April 27. 

All persons entering KCH facilities will be required to wear a mask upon entry. Cloth masks and personal face coverings are encouraged. Any individual who does not have a personal mask or face covering will be provided one upon entry. Exceptions include: children under the age of two, anyone who is having difficulty breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 

This precautionary step is being taken specifically at this time as community restrictions for physical distancing and stay-at-home measures are being eased in Ohio. With the guidance of the Ohio Department of Health and Knox Public Health, we believe this additional measure will help protect our patients, community, and workforce as we continue to provide safe and effective healthcare during this pandemic. 

ATTENTION: NO VISITORS until further notice.

There will be very limited exceptions only for:

• End-of-life patients
• Certain patients who require specific types of assistance or support
• Parents or legal guardians will be permitted to visit patients under 18
• Maternity patients can have one support person for the duration of their hospital stay

There will be no time limits on approved visitors. There will be no visitation
restriction on members of the clergy and those with power of attorney.

Patients, visitors or support persons may be asked to wait in their vehicles, depending on the treatment area being utilized and patient volume

SITES IMPACTED:
All Knox Community Hospital care sites will be impacted by this policy, to include:

• Knox Community Hospital
• Knox Medical Pavilion
• Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness
• KCH Urgent Care
• All Department of Primary and Specialty Care Physician Group offices
• Any KCH-run facility

KCH has been urgently preparing for what we anticipate will be a significant surge of patients needing hospital care in the coming weeks, identifying every opportunity to maximize bed capacity, obtain vital equipment, and support our clinical staff. That work continues. We are grateful to the many community partners who have offered tangible support as well. We are also working locally with Knox Public Health and other agencies, regionally with other hospitals, and state-wide with the Governor’s office and Ohio Department of Health to ensure that our efforts are coordinated. There is still much to be done, but for now we are grateful to our community for staying at home, continuing to practice social distancing, and first calling providers or the Knox County Call Line (740.399.8014) to avoid spreading this virus further. This is an enormous help to us! Thanks again.