Boone Hospital follows new mask policy, resumes some services

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone Hospital Center and other BJC HealthCare facilities announced Wednesday that employees, patients and visitors are being required to wear masks to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Robin Blount with Boone Hospital said the new universal mask policy now requires anyone in a common area, employees, patients or visitors to wear a mask.

Blount said the previous mask-wearing policy was directed toward people involved in direct patient care or who have a lot of contact with the public.

Blount said the new universal policy is meant to provide an extra layer of safety to all. When asked why the policy was just now put in place, Blount said expert opinions on how to move forward continue to evolve.

Blount said Boone Hospital has moved to this new mask policy because the hospital is now providing more services after a pause during the height of the pandemic.

Children under 2 and those with difficulty breathing won't have to wear masks, BJC says. Patients are encouraged to wear their own masks but BJC says it will provide them one if needed.

Blount said Boone Hospital has resumed some of the many surgeries that had been cut off over the last six weeks.

"We started allowing many tests," Blount said. "Such as x-ray, CT scans (and) MRIs that had been put off.... those types of services. And as you allow more people in the building, you just have to be sure you're taking care of everyone in the area."

Blount said Boone Hospital has worked on its reopening plan for the last several weeks.

Blount said they will test anyone who comes in for any kind of at-risk procedure for COVID-19.

Boone Hospital is making sure that the people that come in are well-evaluated not only by symptoms but also by testing.

Blount said many procedures would not potentially cause the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but if a patient is getting certain procedures that occur around the upper respiratory tract, Boone Hospital is having those people tested within a few days of their procedures.

Blount said Boone is monitoring if there is an uptick in the virus in the community, if more issues arise or if the hospital is running low on supplies such as ICU beds, ventilators, testing, blood availability and staff.

"We monitor that every day," Blount said. "And as we watch if everything looks good will gradually add back in more procedures."

In reopening Boone Hospital is evaluating who has been waiting on care and who has the highest need for getting things done and not put off any longer.

"I think everything is being done to make sure that we can slowly, gradually ramp up and provide all the services people need," Blount said. "That's what we do, we're in the business of helping people and we don't want to ... put anything off that we can safely do."

Blount said emergency care has continued through the pandemic, but this week Boone Hospital basically came back up to about 50% of what they consider normal services.

Blount said Boone Hospital is concerned about people staying in their own home and not getting out to receive emergency care.

"We've seen this even here locally," Blount said. "That people who need emergency care aren't going to the emergency room. They're afraid they'll get infected."

Blount said it's important for people to not delay their care because they're concerned about going to a health care facility or doctor.

"We don't allow visitors in the emergency room," Blount said. "We screen everyone coming in. All of our staff wear masks and gowns and gloves ... and provide very, very safe care. That is not only to protect themselves but to protect the people coming in to be seen. So if you need emergency care now we're open."

Blount said she believes that Boone Hospital will continue to bring more services back online, but this has been a difficult time financially for hospitals.

"Federal relief packages are helpful, but they don't cover everything," Blount said. "So, we will continue to ... do our best to provide all the care that is needed in Mid-Missouri. That's our mission."