RMH evolves COVID-19 Assessment Centre to enhanced model
Following the announcement of the first positive case of COVID-19 in the City of Kawartha Lakes on March 14, Ross Memorial Hospital introduced a temporary ‘drive-thru’ assessment centre in their ambulance bay. In response to the community’s feedback and guidelines from the Ministry of Health, the Hospital is introducing a new model for assessment as of Wednesday, March 18.
The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre model will have patients call first for a phone assessment by a nurse or physician, who will refer the caller for the appropriate next steps, which may include self-monitoring instructions, self-isolation instructions, testing at our offsite location (Lindsay Exhibition) or seeking care in the Hospital. Patients should contact the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre only if referred by Telehealth, Public Health, or other care provider.
“We anticipated an increased demand for assessment following the announcement of the first local case of COVID-19,” says Veronica Nelson, Interim President & CEO, “but assessment through our ambulance bay is not a sustainable solution. This new model of our clinicians providing assessment over the phone will support our community by making care more accessible for those who need it.”
If you suspect you might have COVID-19, you should first:
- Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment at Ontario.ca/coronavirus
- If indicated by the self-assessment results, contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or the HKPR District Health Unit (www.hkpr.on.ca) at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5020.
- If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms.
Starting Wednesday, March 18, the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre can be reached at 705-328-6217. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8a.m.-4p.m.
Ross Memorial Hospital continues to work with our local, regional and provincial partners on coordinated response planning during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the situation evolves day by day, the Hospital asks the community to visit www.rmh.org/covid-19 for the latest information about the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and enhanced measures regarding patients, care programs, and visitors.