News

Effective immediately, Cass Regional Medical Center has implemented the following additional changes in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Surgery Policy (effective until April 3, 2020, with potential for extension)

Emergency surgeries and procedures (as determined by the provider) will continue to be performed at Cass Regional with no restrictions on patient age or health.

Urgent surgeries and procedures will be evaluated by the surgeon and anesthesia provider, who will decide if a case can proceed.

Elective procedures will not be done if the patient meets one or more of these criteria:

• is 60 years of age or older.
• requires a hospital stay after surgery.
• has comorbidities that may include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uncontrolled diabetes, congestive heart failure, or cardiac disease. Exceptions may be made by the surgeon and anesthesia provider.
• is scheduled for a case where the patient’s face is exposed, therefore increasing the risk to the surgeon and staff. This includes cases that involve the airway, sinuses, tonsils and adenoids, and teeth.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Procedure Policy (effective until April 3, 2020, with potential for extension)

Esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) will be limited to emergency and urgent procedures only.

Screening colonoscopies will not be done on patients aged 60 or older, or those with comorbidities (see list above), unless the provider determines the need is emergent or urgent.

Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for staff and patients during these procedures.

Medical Imaging Procedure Policy

At the recommendation of its radiologists and the American College of Radiology, Cass Regional has suspended all non-urgent imaging procedures until further notice. This includes all screening mammograms, bone density scans, low-dose lung computed tomography (CT) scans, and cardiac calcium scoring. Patients who were scheduled for these procedures during the next two weeks have been contacted and rescheduled.

Patients who have questions about any of the above-listed policy changes should contact their health care provider.

No-Visitor Policy

The no-visitor policy remains in effect at Cass Regional. Exceptions include: allowing one caregiver for minor or mentally-disabled patients; one caregiver/driver for surgery and/or outpatient testing; one caregiver/driver for Emergency Department or clinic visits; and one dedicated family member where end of life care is being given. If a visitor is identified to have one or more risk factors during screening at the hospital entry doors, he or she will not be allowed to enter the facility.

COVID-19 Hotline

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ COVID-19 hotline can be reached at 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All requests for COVID-19 testing should go through the hotline.

Employment Opportunities

Cass Regional continues to hire for several open positions within the organization. Please visit www.cassregional.org to learn more.

As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, Cass Regional will continue to provide updates on its preparedness efforts. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov and www.cassregional.org.