2019 Novel Coronavirus: An Eisenhower Health Update

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit Riverside County Department of Public Health https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/coronavirus. You may also call 2-1-1 from your mobile phone for Riverside County’s Community Connect, which also has the most up-to-date information. This web page maintains up-to-date, comprehensive information, including:

• Updated News
• Patient Count
• Videos
• Toolkits
• Myths/Facts

Eisenhower Health is working closely with the Riverside County Public Health (RCPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor COVID-19. The safety of our patients, visitors, employees, volunteers and physicians is our first priority, and Eisenhower Health has mechanisms in place to address health concerns of this nature.

Plan on visiting someone in the hospital? Scroll down to see our CHANGE TO VISITOR POLICY below.

In addition to our standard infectious disease protocols, Eisenhower Health is following CDC guidelines and has instituted a number of measures to screen patients with potential COVID-19.

Eisenhower Health and its clinics are open and serving patients in the Coachella Valley. Eisenhower Health wants to provide you with the latest information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Call our hotline at 760-TEST988 (or 760-837-8988) to discuss any symptom concerns before presenting at any of our locations. The line is staffed 24 hours a day by registered nurses who are ready to assist you. Please note that no information about the patient diagnosed with Coronavirus can be shared via this hotline.

Who should be concerned about COVID-19?

People with a fever, cough and difficulty breathing or who have traveled in the past 14 days should call Eisenhower Health’s coronavirus hotline at 760-837-8988 or 760-TEST988 to determine next steps before presenting at any of our locations. In addition, elderly people and those with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, HIV, and lung disease are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. People who meet these criteria should use social distancing to reduce public contact and possible exposure.

Who decides which patients should be tested? How long does it take to make that decision?

At this time, Eisenhower Health takes the direction of Riverside County Public Health (RCPH) who communicates directly with the CDC about which patients merit testing. It was not at Eisenhower’s discretion to test. On occasion, it has taken several days for RCPH/CDC to respond about whether a patient should be tested. Going forward (as of March 9, 2020), Eisenhower will be able to test without state authorization with a medical screening using the CDC approved criteria and physician order.

How long does it take for test results to be returned?

Once the sample (swab) was taken from a patient, it was picked up by RCPH and sent to an approved lab. Test results have taken between two days to more than a week. Going forward (as of March 9, 2020), a more rapid turnaround is expected.

Does Eisenhower have enough tests?

There is confusion in the community about the term “tests.” Eisenhower has a sufficient number of swabs for patients who have been approved for testing for COVID-19. Issues regarding delays with test results were due to the limited number of Department of Health-approved laboratories.

Which location should people go to if they have symptoms and who should they notify of their illness?

To minimize the continued spread of the virus within the community, particularly from younger, healthy people to elderly or immunocompromised patients who are at most risk of experiencing severe symptoms, Eisenhower Health is asking all people who are experiencing the above symptoms to call Eisenhower’s coronavirus hotline at 760-837-8988 (or 760-TEST988) before going to any facility. These patients will be advised on next steps. If they are told to come to the hospital, staff will take appropriate steps to prevent the patient from exposure to other patients and staff. As always, in the case of an emergency, people should call 911.

Why isn’t Eisenhower Health sharing details about the confirmed case they have at Eisenhower?

Eisenhower understands that community members are fearful of their exposure to the patient who has been confirmed to have COVID-19. RCPH’s review of the case concluded that no other patients were exposed or at risk. Beyond that, Eisenhower does not have any information about the patient’s activities prior to hospitalization. That is under investigation by RCPH. All other details about the patient are protected by HIPAA.

Is it safe to come to Eisenhower?

People with scheduled appointments and procedures should keep their appointments. As in any hospital, there are many infection control and management measures in place at all times. We manage infectious disease, like novel coronavirus, every day in the hospital – it’s what we do. We are here to care for everyone and to make sure everyone gets excellent care. There is no additional risk to patients or visitors now than there is any other day of the year.

For your Health and Safety, Eisenhower Health has instituted the following precautionary measures to safeguard against the spread of infection:

CHANGE TO VISITOR POLICY: To safeguard against the spread of infection, visitors will not be allowed in the hospital. This will serve to protect our most vulnerable patients from potential exposure.

Should I be concerned about physicians and nurses being exposed to COVID-19?

Medical professionals have the potential to be exposed to illness every day. They take precautions and are trained to handle infectious diseases with all patients. All physicians and staff have been advised to stay home if sick. Employees who may have been exposed to the patient diagnosed with COVID-19 are being asked to stay home and monitor their condition, the same as we do in other circumstances. Those employees were specifically identified and contacted individually. Eisenhower is working closely with Riverside County Public Health and CDC to employ best practices to protect all patients as well as our physicians and staff.

Eisenhower Health Coronavirus Hotline: 760-837-8988 (or 760-TEST988)