News

Cass Regional Medical Center continues to monitor developments regarding the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and its potential impact on the hospital and area communities.

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, Cass Regional remains diligent in its preparedness and precautionary measures. That is why Cass Regional, in partnership HCA Healthcare and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is working continually to help ensure it remains a safe place to work and provide care.

Cass Regional’s extensive preparedness efforts include reinforcing appropriate infection prevention protocols, and ensuring the organization has needed supplies and equipment, staffing contingency plans, and emergency plans.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Cass Regional has activated its incident command center to coordinate preparations, communications and local response to suspected COVID-19 patients, and to address physician, staff and community concerns. The hospital is working directly with HCA Healthcare’s Emergency Operations Center, which allows Cass Regional to coordinate and collaborate with the HCA Healthcare enterprise, as a whole, drawing on resources and expertise from across the country.

• Practice Exercises/Drills – Cass Regional has performed comprehensive tabletop readiness exercises, as well as participated in HCA’s system-wide preparedness drills and calls.
• Surge Plans – Cass Regional has reviewed existing, as well as pandemic surge plans, which include, but are not limited to, the emergency department, hospital units, respiratory support needs and staffing.
• Staffing – With the potential increase in patient volume, Cass Regional is prepared to initiate contingency staffing plans, as is done during other high-volume times.
• Facility Access/Screenings – In an effort to reduce potential transmission throughout Cass Regional Medical Center, effective Friday, March 13, access to Cass Regional will be limited to the main entrance and the emergency department entrance in order to maximize screening of patients and visitors. Upon entering Cass Regional, all patients and visitors will be screened, per the CDC guidelines, and may be required to wear a mask. Cass Regional is following all recommended protocols to effectively treat individuals based on the screening outcome.
• Restricted Visitor Policy – All patients will be limited to 2 visitors at a time, and all visitors must be screened prior to entering the hospital. No visitors under the age of 14 will be allowed. Visiting hours are now 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
• Employee Health Self-Screening – All Cass Regional employees are monitoring their health and self-screening to ensure they’re not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Cass Regional requires all employees to follow its employee health policies, which prohibit them from coming to work if they believe they are infected with the flu or another communicable illness. Employees are also required to enter and exit through one designated access point.
• Communications/Media – COVID-19 continues to be one of the top news stories around the world. Cass Regional has a responsibility to protect patient privacy. Cass Regional will keep local media abreast of our preparedness efforts to assure the community that its facilities are safe and ready to respond to any impacts should COVID-19 affect area communities. Regular updates will be shared via Cass Regional’s website, www.cassregional.org, and its social media channels (Facebook and Twitter).
• Volunteers – Cass Regional has encouraged its volunteers to be aware of their individual risk factors, and has given them the option to suspend their service until the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided. Each volunteer will be able to choose whether to continue to volunteer during the outbreak.
• Cancellation/Rescheduling of Nonessential Events and Classes – Cass Regional is evaluating all nonessential community events that were scheduled at the hospital. Until further notice, support group meetings and classes have been canceled. Cass Regional has taken this action out of an abundance of caution during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in order to further limit the risk of exposure to its patients, visitors, staff and physicians.
• Care Navigator – Care Navigator, an innovative and online triage tool, helps patients determine the best place to get care, including being seen through a virtual visit. Using a video consult can keep patients out of the doctor’s office where they may have an increased likelihood of exposure. Visit http://www.hcacarenav.com for more information. Use code COVID for $10 off a virtual visit through April 30, 2020.

Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Cass Regional is working closely with its supply chain and HCA Healthcare to secure additional personal protective equipment (PPE) including gowns, face shields, and N-95 respirators, as well as linens. The hospital has increased its inventory for most items from 30 days to 90 days, and has adequate supplies on hand. Since most of the PPE supply in the United States comes from China, Cass Regional is also working to identify alternative sources of PPE, should it be needed at a later date, as well as emphasizing responsible use of its current supplies.

Coordination with Public Health Authorities

To date, there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cass County. Cass Regional continues to work in close partnership with the Cass County Health Department as well as other local, state and federal health officials to properly identify and test any at-risk patients in keeping with guidance from the CDC and the chief epidemiologist from HCA Healthcare.

Ongoing Updates and Resources

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has established a COVID-19 hotline, which 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.

Adhering to established processes and protocols allows Cass Regional to provide exceptional care while keeping its patients, providers and staff safe. 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.