(DENVER, COLO.) Given the ominous presence of the coronavirus and reports that indicate cases may be increasing, it is understandable that many people still feel unsafe in public. Yet at a time when medical care is so important, Dr. Antony Pearson, Centura Health - Longmont United Hospital’s (LUH) new Chief Medical Officer, wants to remind this community that LUH is taking extra precaution to protect patients and staff.
“For people concerned about the safety of hospitals, I can say with confidence that Longmont United Hospital is very safe,” said Pearson. “We are explicitly following CDC and state guidance for infection prevention and I am very pleased with how hypervigilant our staff is with their safety protocols.”
Some of the precautions that LUH is taking include:
- An increased arsenal for cleaning that incorporates standard bleach and UV cleaner.
- All patients are tested with a nasal swab 72 hours prior to all planned surgeries or procedures. If a patient tests positive, even if asymptomatic, that procedure is rescheduled, and the patient is asked to isolate at home.
- A portion of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is used almost exclusively for COVID-19 patients requiring specialized care.
- The hospital is equipped to easily isolate a patient presenting with COVID-19 symptoms in any emergency department or floor.
- While every person entering the hospital is required to be temperature screened, LUH is in the process of installing thermal scanners at entrances that can measure temperature without requiring close interaction from a hospital staff member.
“We are proud to have our hospital open and safe for any and all medical needs. Whether emergent, urgent, or routine, your health is important to us and we are here to help,” added Pearson.
Dr. Pearson returned to Longmont United Hospital on June 1st, building on his 25-year medical career serving the Longmont and Loveland region. He was a hospitalist at Mckee Medical Center from 2006-2019 and prior to that he was a primary care internist for eleven years practicing out of LUH. Centura Heath’s COVID-19 Information Center is a great resource for updated Information, visitor restrictions and resources.
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Centura Health connects individuals, families and neighborhoods across Colorado, Utah and western Kansas with more than 6,000 physicians and 21,000 of the best hearts and minds in health care. Through our 17 hospitals, two senior living communities, neighborhood health centers, physician practices and clinics, home care and hospice services, and Flight For Life® Colorado, our caregivers make the region’s best health care accessible. We’re on a mission to build flourishing communities and whole person care. We’re Centura Health, and we’re your dedicated health partner for life. For information on Centura Health or any of the facilities in our network, please visit the Centura Health website.
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