Providence hospitals switch to self-screening

Masks, social distancing still required

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Providence Swedish hospitals in the South Puget Sound area no longer have staff at their entrances to screen hospital-goers for COVID-19.

In a media statement released on October 20, Providence St. Peter and Centralia will implement self-screening starting today, with the following instructions found at the hospitals’ entrances:

“By entering the hospital, people will confirm:

  • They do not have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.
  • They haven’t been exposed to COVID-19 in the last ten days.”

“Visitors who don’t meet the guidelines should not visit until symptoms are resolved,” the hospitals instructed.

Other COVID-19-related guidelines, such as wearing face masks, hand sanitation and hygiene, physical distancing, and limiting patients to two visitors each, are still in effect.

“Hospital masks and hand sanitizer stations will also be available at each entrance,” the hospitals informed.

According to the hospitals, the shift is in line with the updated guidelines of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “while still following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” guidelines on healthcare organizations, businesses, schools, and government facilities’ more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on their communities.

“However, the safety of our patients and community members will always be paramount, and we will adjust guidelines as needed to best align with the evolving climate of COVID-19,” Providence assured.

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