Lafayette General Health encourages community to not delay medical treatment through video message

While placing limits on non-urgent medical procedures and clinic visits was necessary at the beginning of the pandemic to reserve hospital space and equipment and to keep patients and employees safe, Lafayette General Health announced today in a video message that it is scheduling appointments and procedures that were postponed because of COVID-19. Currently, there are 30 inpatients with COVID-19 across the entire Lafayette General Health system.

“With new safety and screening measures in place, along with guidance from local and state officials, we are confident in our ability to safely provide the care our patients need. Safety remains our number one priority, and we want to assure patients that we are taking every reasonable precaution to protect them at our facilities. Also, a healthcare setting is far safer than any gathering where attendees are not social distancing or wearing masks,” said Lafayette General Health President David Callecod, FACHE in video message.

New safety measures include:

• Limited access to all of facilities – revised visitor policy announced May 18, 2020
• All patients, visitors, employees and vendors in our hospitals and clinics required to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Additional hand-sanitizing stations
• Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting public spaces and patient areas
• Lobby and waiting areas have been reconfigured to support social distancing

  “Concerns and fears surrounding COVID-19 have caused many patients to delay or avoid getting the care they need. However, anyone experiencing life-threatening symptoms should visit the ER. Our spaces are safe and clean, and our healthcare workers are ready to provide the treatment our patients need. We want the community to know that it’s safe to come back. It’s time for us to get back to taking care of our patients and the community as we’ve always done,” said Lafayette General Health Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Amanda Logue, M.D.

  Because of the growth in virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health system will continue providing that service as an option. “Virtually or in-person, we’re ready to provide the care our patients need,” continued Logue.