Hospitals taking ‘measured approach’ toward full operations

The information below from MountainView Regional Medical Center (MVRMC) and Memorial Medical Center (MMC) was provided to the Bulletin by Kelly Jameson, who is heading up the city/county Office of Emergency Management joint information center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bulletin: Both hospitals have had layoffs as a result of COVID-19. Will MVRMC and MMC begin rehiring/returning those laid-off employees immediately? And if not right away, when?

MVRMC: We are looking forward to opening up services to care for our community. We have evaluated the public-health order along with recommendations and considerations of the New Mexico Medical Assistance Team (MAT), [which is] a planning group formed to assist with the combined response. We want to ensure that we remain compliant with our governor's expectations. The safety of our patients and staff remains our top priority, and we are working to ensure a safe environment for care as we take a measured approach to returning to elective and other non-urgent healthcare services.

MMC: Staff will begin returning from leaves of absence based on job function and department census.

Bulletin: When does each hospital expect to be back at full employment?

MVRMC/MMC: This is an extremely variable target that isn’t easily answered as it corresponds to the governor lifting the stay-at-home order and/or elective-procedure guidance. We will follow what is mandated and will return to normal operations as soon as deemed possible.

Bulletin: If a person needs surgery or treatment of some kind for a non-COVID related health issue, is it safe and advisable that he or she, or his or her doctor, be in contact with MVRMC or MMC now to schedule those procedures?

MVRMC: If a person needs surgery or treatment for a non-COVID related health issue, we encourage them to contact their physician or the hospital now to schedule those procedures. Our plan is to begin elective procedures and surgeries on May 11, pending completion of steps we are enacting. We have implemented safeguards to ensure a safe environment of care, including the creation of specific non-COVID areas and segregated staff assignments for additional patient protection.

MMC: Our staff continue to work with surgeons and other providers to ensure the patients who require treatment now and meet the established guidelines have access to the proper treatment. Be assured our commitment to quality and safety remains our top priority. MMC has policies and procedures in place to protect our patients and staff.

Bulletin: Is each hospital’s emergency room at full service?

MVRMC: Our emergency rooms remain open and fully operational. We strongly encourage individuals who may be experiencing a medical emergency or situation to call 911 and seek emergency medical treatment immediately. All hospitals, including ours, have infection-control practices in place in order to continue caring for patients.

MMC: Yes, MMC’s Emergency Department is open 24/7, fully operational and staffed to handle all emergencies.

Bulletin: What about each hospital’s remote locations in the county? Are they continuing to operate and provide a full range of services?

MVRMC: MountainView Medical Group’s urgent-care sites and clinics are open and available for patients through either telehealth or in-person visits. Find out more at MountainViewDocs.com.

MMC: Many of the services have been centralized. MMC Physician Practices are continuing to see patients via telemedicine to ensure the safety of the patient.