Effective Date: June 29, 2020
 
In an effort to protect our patients, families, visitors and staff against the spread of infection, and in accordance with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance, Brooks-TLC Hospital has implemented the following visitation policy, as approved by the NYSDOH.  
This does not apply to those seeking treatment.
 
Please do not visit if you are ill.
 
Inpatient Hospital Visitation:

• Visitation hours are 3-6 p.m. daily at Brooks-TLC Hospital.
• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
• One (1) inpatient visitor is permitted at a time for non-COVID adult patients on all inpatient units.
• No visitors are permitted for adult patients in the COVID Wing on 3A or ICU/OB COVID designated rooms, except in end-of-life or palliative care cases where two (2) visitors are allowed at a time.
• Maternity patients are allowed one (1) designated visitor at any time throughout their stay. The visitor may be permitted to leave and return the next day.
• Pediatric patients are allowed two (2) designated visitors, one at a time, at any time throughout their stay.
• Visitors should arrive with a mask on and will be asked screening questions and will have their temperature checked. Visitors will be provided with a face mask upon entry into the facility if they do not have one.
• Face masks must be worn at all times while inside the facility.
• Hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently, especially before and after entering a patient’s room is required.

 
GENERAL HOSPITAL VISITATION AND SELF-SCREENING:

• Prior to coming to the Hospital visitors should self-screen for COVID exposure and/or COVID symptoms within the past 14 days.
• Visitors will enter the Hospital through the Outpatient entrance and go to the screening desk.
• All visitors will be required to sign in, complete a screening questionnaire and have a temperature check upon arrival. Attachment A
• All visitors are required to comply with the screening checkpoint procedures. If visitors are unable to comply, visitors will not be permitted an in-person visit in the hospital. 

• Visitors will be required to wear a mask while in the hospital.
  • Brooks-TLC Hospital will supply visitors with a mask if they do not already have one.
  • Masks should not be removed.  
  • Visitor Education sheet will be provided. Attachment B
  • If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they will be asked to leave the facility.
• All visitors must practice physical distancing of 6 feet while in the facility.
• Visitors must stay in the patient’s room, or designated area identified by staff, unless directed by staff to leave the room.
• Visitors cannot accompany patients to tests outside of their room.
• Hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently, especially before and after entering a patient’s room is required.

 
SAME DAY SURGERY/PROCEDURE VISITATION:

• Patients having a same-day procedure may have one (1) designated visitor after the procedure and through the discharge process.
• All visitors must be screened at the screening desk.
• Each visitor must wear a mask at all times and ensure physical distancing.
• Hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently, especially before and after entering a patient’s room is required.

 
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITATION:

• No visitors are allowed in the Emergency Room, unless the patient is a minor, is incompetent to answer questions or is at end of life.

 
Please note:

1. This policy is an addendum to the current Visitor Policy and is subject to change based on NYSDOH Guidance.

 

1. Visitation adjustments may be made by the hospital depending on the patient status or condition.

Photo 1:  Dunkirk City Fire Chief Mike Edwards leads the salute of hospital workers despite an unexpected snowfall.
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Photo 2:  A view from inside.  Hospital staff was asked to enjoy the parade from inside the facility so as to avoid having to rescreen on re-entry to the hospital.

​The COVID-19 Pandemic has many of us wondering what am I going to do? Where can I get the help I need? Following is information to help answer your questions and connect you with local resources from across Chautauqua County. 

​Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. is working closely with the New York State Department of Health and the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the risk of potential exposure to COVID-19.  The hospital will provide updates when new and developing precautionary measures will be implemented at the hospital. 
 
Overnight Access and Screening
Effective immediately and until further notice, all hospital visitors and employees will need to enter through the Emergency Department entrance between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. to be screened for fever and cough.  The Emergency Department is immediately adjacent to the Outpatient entrance, which is still being used as a point of entry for everyone entering the hospital building at all other times. 
Patient discharges will take place at the main lobby exit only.  No other egress access is permitted at the lobby doors at this time.
 
Visitation
Any visitors meeting criteria as medically necessary to the care of a patient will be limited to one (1) visitor at a time.
 
Medically necessary is defined as being essential to the care of the patient, or for family members or legal representatives of patients in imminent end-of-life situations
 
Outpatient Hours
Beginning March 28, 2020 and until further notice, all Saturday outpatient services will be suspended, including laboratory, radiology, EKG and other specialty diagnostic testing.  Outpatient services remain open Monday – Friday, 6:30 A.M. – 5 P.M.
 
For further changes, closings, announcements, etc., please also visit the website at https://www.brookshospital.org/news. 

As the Brooks-TLC our Emergency Preparedness team continues meeting daily to assess COVID-19 developments in our community, until further notice, everyone, including employees, outpatients, visitors, medical staff, and vendors entering the hospital will be screened for respiratory symptoms and fever at the OUTPATIENT entrance at the front of the hospital.
Please plan to arrive early for your appointment, shift, meeting, etc. as there may be lines at the door.
​
Emergency Department (ED) patients ONLY should continue entering at the ED door.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we work to protect the health and safety of our community members.

The outbreak was first recognized in early December 2019 in Wuhan, China, but has spread widely throughout the world, including to the United States. While COVID-19 has been widely covered in the news media and the number of cases has grown substantially, incidence in New York State remains low. Respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, are much more likely to be caused by a seasonal illness like the flu rather than COVID-19.

It is important to note that the vast majority of those who contract COVID-19 will not require hospitalization; symptoms are often mild enough that one can recover while quarantined at home.

1.  What is coronavirus disease 2019?
Coronavirus disease, now known as COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

2.  Who is most at risk for contracting COVID-19?
Those who recently traveled to an area where cases of COVID-19 are occurring are most at risk, and they should consult their doctor for the latest information. The CDC maintains a list of countries with significant COVID-19 cases.
 
3.  How does coronavirus spread?
There are many types of human coronaviruses, including those that cause the common cold. They typically spread from an infected person through the air in tiny droplets produced when coughing or sneezing. These droplets, when they come into contact with another person’s mucous membranes (e.g., mouth, nose, or eyes), can lead to infection. The virus can also be transmitted if you touch a person, an object, or a surface on which the virus has settled and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

4.  What are the symptoms?Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Symptoms usually begin within two to three days of exposure but could take as long as 14 days to develop.
 
5.  How can I protect myself?
The steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 are generally the same as those for the seasonal flu. See below:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol   based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
•  Avoid close contact with sick people.
•  Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
•  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
•  Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray             or wipe.

6.  Should I purchase a facemask to protect myself?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including the flu and COVID-19. Facemasks should be worn by healthcare workers and those who exhibit symptoms of coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

7.  Should I be tested for COVID-19?Call your healthcare provider if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to/from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
 
Your healthcare provider will work with the state and local health departments and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

8.  How is COVID-19 treated?
There is currently no FDA-approved medication for COVID-19. People infected with the virus should receive supportive care such as rest, fluids and fever control to help relieve symptoms.

9.  What if I recently traveled to an area with COVID-19 cases and now have symptoms of a respiratory illness and/or fever?
If you were in a country with a COVID-19 outbreak and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, within 14 days after you left, you should:

•  Seek medical care; Call the office of your health care provider before you go, and tell them about your recent travel and symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness.
•  While sick, avoid contact with people, don’t go out and delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.
•  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
•  Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others.
•  Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least  60% alcohol.

10.  What are the guidelines for home isolation if I have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19?
For those with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, a healthcare provider and local public health staff member will evaluate whether you can be cared for and recover at home. If home care is deemed appropriate, you will be closely monitored by staff from your local or state health department. Home isolation requirements include the following:

• Restrict activities outside the home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride sharing, or taxis.
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
• If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from exposure to the virus.
• Wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean high-touch surfaces regularly such as doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, counters and tabletops, phone and laptops.
• Monitor your symptoms and seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening.

11.  Is there a vaccine currently available for COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine available for COVID-19. According to the federal government’s Coronavirus Task Force, a vaccine could potentially be available within 12-18 months.

12.  How is Brooks-TLC prepared to treat infectious diseases?
We have developed procedures to make sure that people arriving for care at our ER are quickly screened for infectious diseases such as COVID-19. This includes questioning people about whether they have traveled abroad in the last three weeks or come into contact with people who are traveling abroad. Our procedures enable us to quickly isolate and screen for any possible cases of infectious disease.

13.  Is Brooks-TLC implementing visitor restrictions?
To help avoid the spread of infection and to ensure a safe environment for all, we ask that those who are ill not visit our facilities unless they are seeking treatment.

14.  Should I travel internationally?
CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan at this time. If you must travel:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid animals and animal markets.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.

For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

On any given day, the GI Lab at Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. is a busy place.  Familiar faces, gastroenterologist. Hyder Alam, MD and general surgeon, Joe Askar, MD, are on site almost daily, and can be seen working a well-oiled machine with GI nurses at the hospital.  In recognition of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, both physicians discuss the importance of colonoscopy in cancer screening. 

According to Melanie Leuer, RN, BSN, Brooks-TLC clinical education coordinator, “A rotation experience at Brooks provides students with meaningful engagement in service of a rural population.  The practical hands-on experience with a cross section of our population demonstrates how access to healthcare services is critical to good health.”

With a high percentage of Medicaid population, many patients in this type of rural setting face a variety of access barriers including financial challenges to pay for services, lack of transportation, communication barriers, and more. 

Melanie and clinical nursing instructors are working to incorporate critical thinking into lessons that focus on establishment of trust with patients, active listening, patient empowerment, etc.   Ultimately, the end goal is to provide students with an immersive clinical experience in a culturally diverse setting. 

The current clinical rotation began on January 22 and extends through May 2020.