William Newton Hospital has implemented additional precautions in response to the potential outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The hospital elevated its internal alert status on Friday, March 13 due to the growing number of case findings in Kansas and Oklahoma.
“While we are taking extra precautions, it’s still business as usual,” said William Newton Hospital CEO Ben Quinton. “These precautionary steps help minimize disruptions to patient care and hospital operations.”
The enhanced visitor restrictions are effective immediately and until further notice:
- All visitor traffic is limited to the front entrances of each facility.
- One visitor is allowed per patient.
- No visitors under the age of 18 are allowed. WNH discourages visitors over the age of 65.
- WNH asks all visitors to self-screen. Visitors experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) should stay home.
- Outside vendors and consultants are restricted without prior approval.
Additional patient protocols have also been implemented. When scheduling procedures and appointments on the phone, patients will be screened and given specific instructions.
Events involving the public in the next 30 days are canceled or postponed. This includes luncheons, outside organizations using hospital facilities, Healthways programs, Auxiliary functions, and education classes. The student volunteer program in partnership with Winfield High School has been suspended until further notice. Meals on Wheels clients are asked pick up meals outside at the hospital loading dock.
“Even though we have limited visitor and public access to our facilities, all of our healthcare services are continuing as normal,” stated Quinton.
The hospital urges the public to understand the key symptoms of onset COVID-19 and practice good personal hygiene habits:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
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About William Newton Hospital
Located in south central Kansas, William Newton Hospital is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital that serves patients in Winfield, Cowley County, and neighboring regions. The non-profit community general hospital is locally managed and financially self-sufficient, relying entirely on patient revenue and philanthropic support. It not supported by local taxes and does not receive outside health system assistance. The hospital is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Winfield City Commission. The William Newton Hospital network includes five rural health clinics, provides office facilities for medical staff members and offers occupational health, home health, labor and delivery, physical therapy, advanced wound care, cardiology, orthopaedics, and other general medical and surgical care for patients as well as emergency room services. For more information, go to www.wnhcares.org.
