News Releases

Reassures patients that clinics and hospitals are safe

(ST. JOSEPH) – While COVID-19 has become the focal point of everyone’s life in recent weeks, there are many patients suffering from other health conditions that require immediate attention. Spectrum Health Lakeland continues to provide care for a multitude of health concerns and wants the community to know its hospitals and clinics are safely and effectively caring for all patients every day.

“We understand the reluctance some people might have to visit a hospital or clinic during this time,” said Loren B. Hamel, MD, president, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “I can assure you we are taking this very seriously and the safety of our friends and neighbors remains our number one priority. I would also caution that delaying necessary medical care, or not seeking treatment for serious conditions such as a heart attack or stroke, can be life threatening.”

To increase safety and limit unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, Spectrum Health Lakeland has implemented several measures including:

• Extra cleaning throughout all facilities and frequent cleaning of high touch areas while adhering to rigorous quality and safety practices and infection prevention guidelines.
• Team members wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure patients and colleagues are safe.
• All employees and patients are screened before they enter the building and a very limited number of visitors are allowed.
• Everyone is required to use hand sanitizer and put on a mask upon entry. Per the Governor’s order, face masks are required in all enclosed public spaces including hallways, common areas, and clinical spaces.
• Social distancing floor signage to maintain CDC guidelines.
• Isolation of symptomatic patients in a dedicated unit of the hospital and separate wings of clinics.
• Limited time spent in waiting rooms by removing or spacing out chairs and encouraging online registration and check-in through Lakeland MyChart.

At this time, social distancing has factored into a slower surge of patients in Southwest Michigan than has occurred in the Detroit area. This means the COVID-19 surge will likely come later and last longer. As a result, Spectrum Health Lakeland is working with providers to review deferred surgeries, procedures and radiology studies to determine if any are essential to a patient’s health, safety or welfare given this longer time frame for rescheduling. They will determine which patients should not be deferred to a later date given their health status.