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PCH Screens Anyone Entering Hospital

March 19th, 2020

Pana Community Hospital announces that starting Friday, March 20th, they will begin screening all persons seeking to enter the facility through either the main or emergency entrances.  All other entrances to the hospital and clinics will be restricted from public entry.  This includes the front entrance of Community Medical Clinic as well as the east doors leading into the Medical Mall.

Anyone seeking to enter the hospital through the main entry, including visitors and patients, will be directed to a screening area just outside the front door of the hospital.  PCH personnel will ask a few short questions which include:
1)Do you have a sore throat, cough, fever (≥100.4 F or 38 C) or shortness of breath?
2)Have you had close contact with any person who is lab confirmed COVID-19 within the past 14 days?


Anyone that answers yes to any of the questions will be required to put on a mask and use hand sanitizer BEFORE entering the main front entrance. 

Patients seeking access into the Emergency Department will enter the first door where they will be greeted by the Emergency Registrar through an intercom.  The registrar will ask the same screening questions above.  If anyone answers yes to the questions, they will be required to put on a mask and use hand sanitizer located in the vestibule.  They will then receive access into the Emergency Department waiting area.

“This measure of protection has been put in place to protect our community and the staff at Pana Community Hospital,” stated Trina Casner.  “We sincerely appreciate the patience of our community as we try to navigate through this turbulent time.  We encourage the public to remain calm, stay home whenever possible, avoid unnecessary gatherings, wash hands often, cover your nose and mouth with tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing and refraining from shaking hands.”

Health officials ask that if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath to call your healthcare provider first before coming to the hospital or your physicians office.  Please stay connected to Pana Community Hospital’s latest updates and announcements through the Pana Community Hospital Facebook page and website at www.panahospital.com.  For general questions about COVID-19 visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov or the Illinois Department of Public Health website at www.dph.illinois.gov