Columbia Memorial | Health Compass | Summer 2020

Keeping you healthy By Erik Thorsen, CEO Throughout the past few months, all of us have made changes to our lifestyles. Hand sanitizer, masks, physical distancing, virtual meetings and canceled events have become the norm. This month, we’d usually be gearing up for the Astoria Regatta. As president of the Astoria Regatta Association, I’m disappointed that we won’t be able to celebrate this year and am looking forward to next year’s festival. While we’ve been in unfamiliar territory for most of 2020, what I do know is that we are Safer Together . When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in the spring, our hospital and clinics saw a significant drop in patient volumes due to the cancellation of elective surgeries, preventive screenings and clinic visits. With priceless treasures like your health, preventive maintenance is a necessity to keep you healthy and well. You can rest assured that Columbia Memorial Hospital is safe and ready to care for you. Changes for improved safety Throughout our hospital and clinics, we have implemented changes to help keep everyone safe. You’ll notice: ●   ● Symptom screening stations at entrances ●   ● Masks on patients and caregivers ●   ● Updated visitor policies ●   ● Enhanced cleaning procedures ●   ● Spaced furniture in lobbies ●   ● Increased hand sanitizer stations ●   ● Telehealth appointments available by video At CMH, we are your partner in health. Don’t miss your checkup, ignore your blood pressure or take risks with your well-being. We are Safer Together . Powerful protection Understanding PPE Health care workers use several types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep patients and themselves safe from the coronavirus. Gloves. Disposable gloves protect the hands and wrists. Which PPE should providers wear? That depends on the situation. Not all types of PPE are needed for every encounter. Other types of PPE not shown here may sometimes be used. The greater the risk of exposure, the more precautions will be taken. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration N95 respirator or surgical face mask. Both of these cover the nose and mouth, but respirators fit more tightly and can block 95% of airborne particles. Face shield or goggles. Shields protect the face, mouth, nose and eyes (places where the virus can easily enter the body). Goggles protect the eyes only. GOWN OR COVERALLS. These are designed to prevent contamination of skin and clothing. Gowns cover the front of the body to mid-calf. Surgical and isolation gowns offer different levels of protection. Coveralls provide full-body coverage. 2 HEALTH COMPASS SUMMER 2020