COVID-19 drive through testing center was set up at Westchester Medical Center
We have just learned that a COVID-19 drive through testing center was set up at Westchester Medical Center. People need to call the Medical Center hotline: 914-202-4530 to establish if they are eligible and get an appointment.
See here for more detailed information including on what you need to bring: https://www.westchestermedicalcenter.org/…/coronavirus-upda…
WMCHealth COVID-19 Drive-Thru Site Now Open to the Public. Learn how you can make an appointment.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Maintaining a Safe and Effective Care Environment
A safe and effective care environment is our highest priority, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals and medical practices have undertaken necessary steps to protect our patients and workforce as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves.
WMCHealth COVID-19 Drive-Thru Site Now Open to the Public - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
How to make an appointment? Please call 914.202.4530 from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. You will receive a screening, and if appropriate, you’ll be given an appointment. We will need your phone number and address, and your primary care physician information.
What should I bring? When you come, you need your photo identification.
When will I receive my results? At this time, results can take up to five days.
PLEASE DO NOT COME FOR DRIVE-THRU TESTING WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. ONLY PEOPLE WITH APPOINTMENTS WILL RECEIVE TESTING.
To Donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
We are appreciative of community members who have connected us to legitimate resources for the following:
N95 masks
Surgical masks
Face shields or goggles
Fluid resistant isolation gowns
Non-latex (nitrile) gloves
We ask that no one deliver materials directly to our hospitals.
If you are aware of such resources in the community or have materials to donate, please contact us at supplies@wmchealth.org
Temporary Changes in Outpatient Services
To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is making several temporary changes to our ambulatory and outpatient services to ensure that we are able to care for our patients in a safe and effective care environment in our hospitals and medical practices.
Elective Ambulatory Services/Ambulatory Procedures/Ambulatory Surgeries
Non-essential ambulatory services, procedures and surgeries will be postponed. We will be working with patients to ensure they receive the service and care they need during this time period.
Outpatient Clinics
Non-essential outpatient clinic (adult and pediatric) visits will be postponed. We will be working with patients to ensure they receive the service and care they need during this time period.
Advanced Physician Services
Non-essential visits to all Advanced Physician Services practices will be postponed. We will be working with patients to ensure they receive the service and care they need, including the use of both in-person and telemedicine options, during this time period.
WMCHealth’s 10 hospitals, and our emergency departments, are open to care for our patients. Please refer to our website for updates on what you need to know before coming to one of our facilities or medical practices.
WMCHealth COVID-19 Specimen Collection for Testing
Beginning March 18, the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) will provide appointment-only drive-through coronavirus (COVID-19) specimen collection on the campus of Westchester Medical Center for current and former WMCHealth patients with a verified COVID-19 testing appointment.
A referral from a WMCHealth physician is mandatory and specimen collection will be conducted only by appointment. Current or former WMCHealth patients who are experiencing symptoms that may indicate illness need to contact their physician’s office to be screened. Current and former patients who meet the current screening criteria will then be given an appointment for drive-through testing.
Visitation
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, new visitation restrictions will be in effect. Patients at Westchester Medical Center will not be allowed visitors. Pediatric patients, including those at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, and Labor and Delivery patients, will be allowed one designated support person. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances, including those receiving end-of-life care.
We are now using thermal scanning to check all approved visitors for fever. To protect the health and safety of our patients and our workforce, you must also protect your own health to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
WMCHealth protocols during this time require that all visitors are fever-free for at least 72 hours before entering the hospital.
While a fever is a symptom of COVID-19 – it can also be a symptom of many other illnesses. If you are concerned about your fever, please reach out directly to your primary care physician. We will continue to scan any approved visitors for fever. Once you are fever free for 72 hours and without symptoms of illness, you can return for screening, and then visitation after screening.
While visitor restrictions are in place there are other methods to facilitate communication, such as phone, Facetime, and others. We are happy to work with your loved one on this. In addition, our website offers an e- greeting card option so that friends and family can send greetings and well wishes.
Our Plans for Care
All WMCHealth hospitals and medical practices have long-standing and the most up-to-date protocols in place to respond to infectious diseases. These protocols include, but are not limited to, strict adherence to care guidelines, protective attire and the use of negative-pressure environments to contain airborne pathogens. We routinely train our staff on these protocols and protocol adherence is monitored by infection prevention specialists.
As an added safety precaution, multilingual signs are present at key hospital entry points asking patients and visitors to share their potential for exposures, such as recent travel, symptoms and local exposure.
If a patient arrives at a WMCHealth member hospital or medical practice with a suspicion of COVID-19 exposure or if key symptoms are present, the patient will be masked and escorted to an isolated and contained area for additional evaluation and care in cooperation with public health agencies, such as the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Testing for COVID-19 is conducted by the DOH, CDC and select centers only. After a thorough examination and in consultation with public health agencies, it would be determined if the patient’s condition warranted hospitalization or release under DOH oversight with strict, DOH-imposed isolation instructions and regular DOH monitoring.
Our Commitment
WMCHealth is committed to providing a safe and comfortable care environment for patients, their families and our staff at all of our member hospitals and medical practices throughout the Hudson Valley. Our care specialists are working collaboratively with public health agencies and closely monitoring COVID-19 developments. Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov for additional information and prevention tips.
Prevention
Adherence to smart, everyday habits can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and many other viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these everyday preventive actions to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has the latest COVID-19 information. Call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov.
Q&A
Some common questions, with answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19):
Q. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
A. Common human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses that usually last for a short amount of time with symptoms including: runny nose; headache; cough; sorethroat; fever and a general feeling of being unwell. In some cases, human coronaviruses can cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This is more common in people with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems, infants and older adults.
Q. How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
A. Anyone exhibiting a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever with a general feeling of being unwell should see a healthcare provider. Importantly, notify your healthcare provider about potential exposures, such as international travel within the past 30 days.
Q. How is COVID-19 transmitted?
A. COVID-19 is transmitted via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory infections are spread.
Q. How is COVID-19 treated?
A. There is no specific treatment for coronavirus at this time beyond general care one might receive for respiratory infection.
Q. Are there precautions I can take to protect myself from COVID-19?
A. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Q. I received the flu vaccination. Will my flu shot protect me from COVID-19?
A. The flu vaccine is not known to prevent COVID-19.
Q. Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?
A. There is no vaccine at this time.
Q. Should I wear a facemask to protect myself?
A. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend facemasks for those that are well to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The effective use of facemasks should be limited to those with flu-like symptoms or other respiratory infection.
Q. What precautions/actions is WMCHealth taking to manage the situation?
A. All WMCHealth hospitals and medical practices follow stringent infection prevention protocols. These protocols include, but are not limited to, strict adherence to care guidelines, protective attire and the use of negative-pressure environments to contain airborne pathogens. We routinely train our staff in these protocols and protocol adherence is monitored by infection prevention specialists.
As an added safety precaution, multilingual signs are present at key hospital entry points asking visitors to share their potential for recent exposures.
Updated: March 24, 2020