HAMILTON, NY, USA, December 28, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As national, state, and county COVID-19 infection rates increase, Community Memorial (CMH) continues to operate at the highest level of safety, and is informing the public that the organization is remaining prepared to respond to the healthcare needs of our community.

“CMH is committed to the safety of our patients, and we continue to review and enhance our safety measures,” states Dr. Michael Walsh, DO, Chief Medical Officer of Community Memorial. “We consistently are following best practices through close collaboration with Crouse Hospital and under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control as well as the Madison County and New York State Departments of Health.”

CMH has always had strong infection control practices and is continuously improving safety measures during this recent surge of COVID-19. Limiting visitor access, phone triage of patients prior to access to primary care, and testing all surgical and inpatient medical patients has proven to limit patient and employee exposure to the virus. The hospital has implemented additional procedures with the Environmental Services team to provide clean and safe treatment spaces. Changes in patient flow, along with providing surgical patients with a private entrance are additional precautions put into place. The current renovation project, anticipated to be completed in mid-2022, is further evidence of Community Memorial’s commitment to a positive and safe patient experience.

Every employee must wear a mask at all times, and temperature screenings are performed and tracked each day of anyone entering any buildings. A recently purchased Rapid Analyzer Machine allows the Lab Department to perform rapid COVID tests as needed. The organization also maintains a 90-day supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand at all times to ensure we’re fully prepared to take care of all our patients.

CMH is prepared to increase inpatient staffed beds by 25% as the Governor has requested. The goal is to increase capacity without changing vital access to primary care or surgical services. CMH is also working with the NYS Department of Health in preparation for the procurement, storage, and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine, and is prepared to receive and provide the vaccine as soon as it is made available by New York State.

“The entire Community Memorial Leadership team thanks our nurses, physicians, and all the staff for their tireless efforts to keep each other and the community safe,” added Jeffery Coakley, President & CEO. “We thank the community for your efforts and support. During these challenging times, CMH remains ready to provide quality healthcare, close to home.”

For nearly 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout almost 30 Central New York communities located throughout Madison County and beyond. The hospital provides primary care services with a network of five Family Health Centers (Hamilton, Morrisville, Cazenovia, Munnsville and Waterville), an after-hours urgent care clinic - available in the evenings and weekends, and 24/7 emergency medicine services.

Meghan K. Dougherty
Community Memorial Hospital
+1 315-824-7037
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