Coronavirus (COVID-19) Clinic Update

St. Mary’s Health Clinics (SMHC) is committed to promoting health and wellness for patients, families and staff, and emphasizes preventive measures with a threat of illness such as COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

MEMO

DATE: March 18, 2020
TO: 
 St. Mary's Health Clinics Volunteers
FROM:  Susan Gehlsen, Executive Director, St. Mary’s Health Clinics
Chris Hanson, Clinic Operations Manager

RE:  St. Mary’s Health Clinics Covid 19 Response Plan

During this time of escalation for mitigating the spread of the Corona virus, we find ourselves in the unfortunate position of having to reduce our services for St. Mary’s Health Clinics patients while still working toward maintaining essential services to those who are most in need.

Following the most recent recommendations from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health we hold the health and safety of our patients, staff and wider community in mind as we continue to be a health care provider to the uninsured in our community.

Effective the week of March 23, 2020, we will hold two clinic sessions per week and one medication pick-up per week.

These clinic sessions will be held only for persons who must be physically seen by a provider or who need to pick up medications. Infection prevention precautions are in place during those visits. Routine physicals or follow up visits deemed non-essential will be rescheduled for a later date. 

Phone triaging will be done by registered nurses to be sure that patients who need medical attention receive the care they need. Patients who report any respiratory symptoms will be rerouted to other facilities for further evaluation and care. We will be asking for provider volunteers to assist with the 2 clinics and the medication pick-up site.

This new schedule will begin the week of March 23rd:

  • St. Matt's on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00-4:30

  • Shakopee on Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:30

The medication pick up site will be:

  • Carondelet Center on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30-4:30

St. Mary's Health Clinic staff members will be at all clinics moving forward.

We will be requesting provider volunteers to assist.

No other volunteers will be at clinic effective today, March 17, 2020 until further notice, an effort to minimize exposure for all persons involved.  

We have cancelled our outreach sessions, classes and group sessions have been until further notice. We will conduct mental health and nutritional therapy sessions virtually or per phone. 

We will maintain office hours three days per week with minimal staff present, and others have been asked to work remotely. Voicemail messages redirect callers to appropriate services if they are unable to leave a message for later follow up.

St. Mary’s Health Clinics’ medical director and leaders continually monitor recommendations from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health, and will revise plans accordingly to safeguard patients, staff and our community. Every effort is being made to remain connected with our patients, staff and volunteer groups through regular communication and updates.