Patients may notice things are running a little different at the South Shore Regional Hospital.
Due to new public health and visitor restrictions set by the NSHA to help combat Covid-19, the hospital secured its entrances and instated new security protocols last week.
Dr. Heather Johnson, interim site lead for SSRH said everyone who enters will be met and guided by staff.
“We’ve placed security guards and a staff member at the door to ensure the people coming in really need to be there,” she said.
“Some people are being directed to the most appropriate place for their visit, or being told lab appointments are no longer walk-in anymore and only accept scheduled appointments.”
Johnson said the new precautions will help lower the potential spread of Covid-19 to workers and patients alike.
She also said visitors may be asked a few questions before getting in.
“When people present, they will be asked why they are here, because we are limited the flow of people allowed into the hospital,” she said.
“If you need to see a doctor, you can absolutely see a doctor, but people may ask you the screening questions associated with screening for Covid-19. Any of these things can happen to you when you walk into the hospital, and you will absolutely be asked to wash your hands.”
Along with the new protocols, some hospital services have been deferred, including non-urgent operating services, non-urgent x-rays and routine screening tests.
Johnson said those will be tended to once things begin to calm down.
Other changes include the relocation of the Walk-In Clinic and how it runs.
