As hospitals across the country continue to manage the challenges associated with COVID-19, at Red Bud Regional Hospital, we are prepared to offer the same compassionate care our neighbors expect, with new enhanced infection control protocols.
Some of these precautions include separate care areas for COVID-19 positive patients and non-COVID-19 patients, routine temperature checks of staff, universal masking, visitor restrictions and more. As an extra precaution, we follow state guidelines for elective procedures that require a person to have a negative COVID-19 test prior to surgery.
Safety Measures
- Over the phone registration: Depending on the scheduled procedure, some registrations are completed over the phone with special instructions to call once entering the parking lot. This allows the Hospital staff to meet you at the Main Lobby door and take you directly into an exam room, allowing patients to bypass the waiting rooms.
- Screening: Upon entering the Hospital, all patients, visitors and employees are screened for COVID-related symptoms. Anyone who meets COVID criteria is redirected outside and to a separate entrance.
- Designated entry points: Separate entrances, waiting rooms and exam rooms have been designated for non-COVID patients who are returning for routine care, such as mammograms or bone densities.
- Cleaning processes: We follow the CDC recommendations for cleaning equipment and high-touch surfaces.
- Drive Up Test: The Drive-Up Collection Site at Red Bud Regional Hospital is designed to limit exposure from patient to staff as the COVID-19 test is performed. This is limited to pre-authorized patients who have a doctor’s order for COVID-19 testing and have been instructed to use the drive thru. Patients can also call 618-282-5165 and be screened over the phone – if you meet the IDPH criteria for testing, you will be given an appointment time and instructions to use the Drive-Up.
- Respiratory Clinic: The no-appointment Respiratory Clinic (part of Red Bud Health Clinic’s Express Care) has a designated parking lot, entrance, elevator, and exam rooms for patients experiencing respiratory or COVID-like symptoms. Call ahead to 282-7373 to get instructions prior to entering the Hospital. An Express Care staff member will meet you at the designated location and escort you to the Respiratory Clinic. If your Express Care medical provider feels a COVID test is needed, they can collect the specimen onsite during your visit.
- Visitors: Visitor restrictions continue to be in place to reduce the traffic into the building. Patients who are end of life, require transportation or need help understanding may be allowed one visitor during their appointment. Inpatients are allowed one visitor per day by appointment only. For inpatient visiting, call 282-5139 to schedule an appointment with a patient. It will be up to the patient to approve the visit prior to scheduling it. There are times that exceptions can be made if pre-approved by Hospital Administration.