St. John's Health Expands its Reopening with Cancer Screenings and Clinic Safety Pledge

St. John’s Health has new safety practices in place for in-person visits and an expanded range of services available via telehealth, making it convenient and safe for patients to get the health care they need.

“In addition to other elective procedures previously brought back online, we are again scheduling essential cancer screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms,” said Karen Connelly, chief communications officer at St. John’s Health. “We are encouraging patients to keep up with their healthcare needs and to schedule routine care or appointments they have postponed. These visits help you stay well and avoid preventable medical emergencies.”

For patient and staff safety, St. John’s has initiated new safety measures throughout the hospital, emergency department, clinics, and Living Center, including:

• rapid-testing patients for COVID-19 prior to all surgical procedures, including orthopedic, general (including colonoscopy and endoscopy), ear/nose/throat, gastrointestinal, gynecological, urological, pulmonological, and plastic & reconstructive
• requiring all staff, patients, and visitors to wear masks and screening them for temperature and symptoms
• arranging waiting areas for appropriate physical distancing
• following CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting
• using the new UV disinfectant system for patient care areas and equipment
• staggering patient appointments to accommodate physical distancing and provide time for cleaning
• restricting visitors
• isolating patients with lab-confirmed or suspected COVID-19

To learn more about our safety pledge, visit www.stjohns.health/safeinourcare.

St. John’s has also augmented its telehealth program to meet the needs of patients. Most primary and specialty services are available via telehealth, and patients can connect to the service from their homes, using their own mobile devices.

“When a patient calls for an appointment, we work with that person to determine the best care setting,” said Connelly.

To find a provider to schedule an appointment, go to www.stjohns.health/providers

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Media contact:

Karen Connelly, St. John’s Health, 307.739.7380, kconnelly@stjohns.health