Brookings Health Restricts Hospital Visitors Due to COVID-19

  • March 13, 2020

This illustration, created by the CDC, shows the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019, a respiratory illness first detected in China. Because of the emergence of COVID-19 in South Dakota, Brookings Health system is restricting hospital visitors to family only. Only one visitor per patient will be allowed at a time.
This illustration, created by the CDC, shows the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019, a respiratory illness first detected in China. Because of the emergence of COVID-19 in South Dakota, Brookings Health system is restricting hospital visitors to family only. Only one visitor per patient will be allowed at a time.

With the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Dakota, Brookings Health System has implemented a temporary visitor policy to protect the health and safety of its patients and staff. The new policy, which takes effect immediately, is intended to minimize the spread of COVID-19 at Brookings Health System facilities.

The policy restricts all Brookings Hospital visitors to immediate family members only. Only one visitor will be allowed per patient. Staff will screen visitors upon entrance, checking them for respiratory illness symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath) and asking about recent travel.

All scheduled appointments and procedures will continue as usual.

According to the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH), there are still no community-based transmissions of COVID-19 in South Dakota. In addition Brookings County still does not have any suspected cases of COVID-19. However, Brookings Health System continues to encourage the public to remain vigilant at preventing the spread of disease.

Facts About COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now been detected in several locations internationally, including the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with COVID-19 experience mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Complications may include pneumonia in both lungs. People at greatest mortality risk from COVID-19 include the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, COPD, underlying heart and lung diseases, or other immune compromising conditions. Children are more likely than adults to present with mild symptoms. The best prevention is to avoid exposure to the virus.

What the Public Can Do

According to Infection Preventionist Bunny Christie, people should remain calm and use scientifically proven infection control methods.

“Practice good respiratory etiquette and hygiene. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze in your upper sleeve,” said Christie. “Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.”

In addition people should practice social distancing when out in the community by trying to stay three to six feet away from other people. Do not hug, kiss, shake hands or make other unnecessary contact. Also clean and disinfect high-touch surface areas, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, etc. every day. COVID-19 is easily cleaned by household cleaners or soap and water.

“Stay at home if you’re sick and self-isolate to prevent the spread of illness,” Christie adds.

How to Managed Mild COVID-19 Symptoms

According to the CDC, about 80% of people who become infected with COVID-19 can manage their symptoms from home.

“The rate of patients who experience serious complications is only slightly higher than that of seasonal influenza,” said Christie. “The real challenge with managing COVID-19 is that it’s new meaning that as a whole the human population does not have an established immunity to it.”

At home infected individuals should separate themselves from people and animals by trying to stay in a specific room and using a separate bathroom if available. If around other people or pets, they should wear a face mask to avoid spreading germs.

Proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette are necessary to keep others from becoming ill. Infected individuals should cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue and immediately throw the tissue away in a lined garbage can. They also need to be vigilant with hand washing, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used also. The sick should also avoid touching their face with unwashed hands.

In addition, those who are sick should avoid sharing personal household items, such as drinkware, dishes, towels or bedding. Those items should be washed thoroughly after use. In addition, people should regularly clean and disinfect all high-touch surface areas.

But the most important precaution is to stay at home except to seek medical care.

“They need to avoid public spaces,” says Christie. “They should not go to work, school, daycare, church, shopping or anything else in the public. If, as they monitor their symptoms, they get worse, then it’s time to call their health care provider and seek treatment.”

When to Seek Care

According to the DOH, people with COVID-19 symptoms who are over age 65, under 5 years of age, pregnant or have a chronic medical condition like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or other immune compromising conditions should seek medical care right away.

“These are folks who fall into the CDC’s high risk category,” said Christie. “We want to make sure to test and treat them immediately.”

Individuals not in those categories who battle mild symptoms that get worse should seek medical treatment when they have a fever of 100.4°F or greater or begin to experience difficulty breathing.

People who seek treatment must call their health care provider’s office before visiting them.

“Explain your symptoms so your health care provider’s office can take steps to keep others from becoming infected or exposed,” said Christie.

If people seek treatment for COVID-19 at Brookings Health System’s emergency department, they should call (605) 696-9000. If they visit one of the local clinics for COVID-19 treatment, they should call their clinic’s respective phone number.

“Remember,” said Christie, “this is an evolving situation. Get information about COVID-19 from a credible source and do not spread misinformation. Brookings Health recommends the CDC or the DOH for the latest information.”

To learn more about health care safety at Brookings Health System, please visit brookingshealth.org/Safety.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.