Pella Regional Health Center is prepared to resume elective surgeries effective immediately. Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation on April 24 that included provisions for resuming nonessential or elective surgeries and procedures through a phased approach as long as they meet criteria for:

-Adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a plan to conserve PPE
-COVID-19 testing or alternative methods to determine the patient’s probability of COVID-19 for scheduled surgery patients
-Hospital bed capacity requirements to ensure availability to accept COVID-19 patients

Pella Regional Health Center has taken steps to comply with the criteria and resume elective surgeries and procedures if approved by the physician. Doctors are reviewing their schedules to determine the most appropriate way to meet the medical needs of their patients. Decisions are based on what is best for the patient and their specific medical needs, while maintaining compliance with the criteria noted above & outlined specifically in Governor Reynolds’ April 24th proclamation.

In addition to resuming surgeries and procedures, Pella Regional Health Center providers will continue to see patients for the following conditions that are medically essential:

-Prenatal visits
-Well child visits and immunizations, especially 18 months and younger
-Chronic care visits for certain diagnosis (Diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure, or hypertension for example)
-Cancer screenings such as mammography and lung cancer screening
-Acute illness or injury

Those currently scheduled for a visit with a primary care provider and who have not been called to reschedule, Pella Regional has taken care to minimize your potential exposure to COVID-19 and remain available to see individuals for ongoing health care needs.

Pella Regional has taken many measures to assure patients can present to the hospital and clinics with low risk of exposure to COVID-19.

All patients and staff are screened before entering the building. Patients with infectious symptoms are directed to the Patient Assessment Center, which is located in a separate building away from the hospital and Pella Medical Clinic. Staff members with direct patient care interaction are behind a Plexiglas shield and/or wearing recommended personal protective equipment.

Pella Regional has recently implemented a service in the Pella Medical Clinic to allow patients to have lab draws obtained in the clinic rather than entering the hospital. Imaging patients are also entering through the clinic entrance. Patients are registered and checked in remotely and then called in directly to the clinic lab area or imaging department to limit interaction with other patients. Surgical patients will enter through the emergency room entrance. All these measures are in place to lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19 while continuing to provide needed medical services to patients.