BVIHSA roll out new hospital policies amid COVID-19 threat
The Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital now has a number of new visitation rules which are geared at protecting its patients against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
CEO of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Dr Ronald Georges said, effective immediately, the BVIHSA is reducing the number of entrances at the hospital.
“We know that these guidelines will be difficult on patients, their families and visitors to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital, however, please bear with us as we seek to put measures in place to reduce our vulnerability to COVID-19 and its impact on our patients,” Dr Georges said.
New Rules
He said each patient is only now allowed one visitor per day and all visitors must be 16 years of age or older. Visitors are also now required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after leaving rooms and the premises, and visits will now only be permitted between 12 pm to 2 pm.
Persons who are sick, have a fever or a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 are asked not to visit or accompany a patient to the hospital.
This request also applies to all persons who are amongst the most vulnerable population, which includes but is not limited to the elderly, persons with respiratory and chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and persons with a weak immune system.
The BVIHSA also said “visitor exceptions will be made for pediatric and hospice patients and other patient circumstances which will be determined by their clinical care team”.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
What about other services such as the Pharmacy, Dental, Imaging, etc.?
Where are the hand sanitizer stations in all areas? Are you folks really ready or trying to get ready ?
new resident lol
Pregnant women have to be very careful, the elderly and very young children. My parents are over 60 years old and my sister and I have placed our parents in self quarantine a few days ago. We sanitized the inside of their house and made sure that they have enough food, water, cleaning supplies and their medicines so they don’t have to leave the house for anything unless it is an emergency. My parents love to sit on the porch in the afternoons and have a cup of tea together and they were instructed to spray the bottom of their shoes with Lysol spray before they go back inside. That is the best that we can do for them and we want our parents the glue that holds the family together to be safe.
If people have appointments, I suggest in waiting areas, chairs are placed 6 inches away from each other in the waiting areas. Also I suggest a bottle of hand sanitizer is placed in waiting areas.
It should be six feet – not six inches!
6 inches is fine.
You must wear mask when you out of home
IF you die you die.
If you die you die !! What ignorance ? People with such mentality still exists . The staff is safe guarding the public and that is how wide you are ? Wow !! Hair and barber saloons should be careful as well
You are right about salons. A few hairdressers are guilty of using the same hairy brushes and combs on their clients without cleaning them. The sadbpartnis they see nothing wrong with what they are doing.
These new rules and procedures are vital to protect patients and hospital staff. It is essential that hospital staff have at least the minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves while they perform their duties; it is critical to have enough staff to attend to patients during this critical period, ie, pandemic.
Moreover, all residents should make extraordinary effort to avoid contracting the Coronavirus disease and to avoid overwhelming the capacity and capability of the hospital/healthcare system. A surge in infections can overwhelm the capacity and capability of the hospital(s), ie, creating a shortage of beds, doctors, nurses, technicians, ventilators, respirators, along with other staff and equipment.
Undoubtedly, the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is an existential threat to the BVI. And the capacity and capability of the healthcare system is a critical link in the protection chain. Strengthening this link in the chain is critical.
1. What is the surge capacity of the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital ?
2. What is the ratio of hospital beds to population?
3. Does healthcare providers have the necessary personal protective equipment?
4. Does the healthcare system have the beds, ventilators, respirators, masks, doctors, nurses, technicians…….etc to handle a mild outbrea?
5. Are VI residents serious about social distancing?
6. Should the VI government order residents to shelter in place?
7. Does the territory/healthcare system adequate medical supplies?
8. What assistance is the UK currently offering?
9. What is the level of food supply?
10. How satisfied is residents with government’s performance thus far relative to the response to the Coronavirus?
They don’t have a grip on the situation.