Screening Procedures Continue as the Hospital Resumes Service Lines

Day Kimball Hospital (DKH) is re-opening its Main Entrance for patients accessing the hospital for select services, as part of its gradual reactivation plan.

Effective Wednesday, June 3, at 5:30 a.m., the Main Entrance at Day Kimball Hospital (Entrance A at the back of the hospital) will be open for patients coming to the hospital for the following services:

•  Day Kimball Medical Group OB/GYN and Pediatric Center
•  Day Kimball Hospital Surgical and Endoscopy Services
•  Day Kimball Hospital Oncology Services
•  Day Kimball Hospital Laboratory
•  Northeastern Asthma & Allergy Associates, LLC

The Main Entrance at the hospital will be open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. On weekends it will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for laboratory patients only.

“Day Kimball is continuing to proceed with an abundance of caution as we enter this time of recovery,” said John O’Keefe, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services, Day Kimball Healthcare. “We will continue to screen anyone coming to our facility, and markings along the sidewalk coming into the main lobby and along the corridor in front of the lab registration area are being installed to demonstrate social distancing,” said O’Keefe.

“We are continuing to limit visitors at our buildings until further notice,” O’Keefe continued. “In very limited circumstances, exceptions may be made to this visiting policy at the discretion of medical and/or nursing leadership. Exceptions will also be considered for individuals with developmental, physical, mental and/or other disabilities,” he said.

In addition to mandatory screenings, continued visitor restrictions, and social distancing protocols, anyone entering a Day Kimball building will be provided a mask. Patients having medical procedures or surgeries are tested in advance of their scheduled procedure. Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout all sites and adherence to the most stringent protocols for cleaning and disinfecting have been put into place.

“The risk of contracting the virus is extremely low at Day Kimball Hospital” said Dr. John Graham, chief medical officer and vice president of quality and medical affairs, Day Kimball Healthcare. “In fact, Day Kimball Hospital has remained the safest hospital in the state during the pandemic.”

“Patients should not avoid necessary care for fear of catching COVID-19,” Graham continued. “We have rigorous screening procedures in place and apply infection control measures throughout and across our locations. We are a safe place to receive care,” he said.

Other patients coming to the hospital will need to enter through the Emergency Department to access the hospital. Those include patients with care appointments at the Day Kimball Hospital Wound Healing Center, IV Therapy, Diagnostic Imaging, and Urology. All vendors and staff will need to continue to enter at the Emergency Department.

Day Kimball Healthcare encourages patients to allow extra time for the screening process prior to a scheduled visit.

“We understand these screenings may be inconvenient, but is important to protecting the health of our patients, staff, families, and the community. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and patience with our new procedures. They are all designed to keep everyone safe,” O’Keefe said.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, the incidence of COVID-19 in Windham County has been the lowest in Connecticut, with only 4 hospitalizations at Day Kimball Hospital. For more information and guidelines about returning to care at Day Kimball Healthcare, visit daykimball.org/return-to-care.

Areas of Related Interest

Open, Safe, Ready | It's Safe to Return to Care