OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

ADDRESSING COVID 19 PRACTICES

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Montgomery County
The Woodlands has been selected by the State of Texas to serve as a vaccine hub.
Continue reading herehttps://www.stlukeshealth.org/montgomerycountyvaccine

North Pines Surgery Center is a dual deemed-status facility with Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and AAAHC (Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care). CMS & AAAHC guidelines and standards are followed at our facility.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, we are also following the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines and recommendations. All staff are screened with questions and temperatures upon entry into the facility each day.

All patients are screened for COVID 19 symptoms when initially called for their health history by nursing staff. Upon arrival to the facility, the patients are screened with questions & temperature checks. A new mask is given to the patient to wear for the duration of their visit to our facility. Follow up includes a discharge phone call to our patients after their procedure and again once 10-14 days have passed since discharge specifically to screen for any exposure to the COVID 19 virus. Should they develop COVID or any symptoms of COVID, contact tracing will be performed.

Family members are to remain in their vehicles since our Surgery Center lobby has appropriate distancing for our patients. If they must enter the facility to use the restroom, a mask MUST be worn.

When the patient is ready for discharge, the phone number of the family taken upon admission will be called to pull around to the side of the building for pick up (faces west).

The facility has a sophisticated ventilation system, especially in the Operating Rooms. Air exchanges must be at a steady level to meet infection control standards. Aerosol misters, which are sanitizing products that are EPA registered, patented, and have been proven to kill 99.99% of Influenza and 39 other various germs, bacteria, fungus, and viruses in mere seconds; including MRSA, Ringworm, HIV, E-Coli, Salmonella, and Herpes are used in the Operating Rooms at the end of the day. Ultraviolet lighting is also used. Terminal cleaning by a contracted company is used at the facility every day after all procedures completed. Other decontaminating & sanitizing products are used by them for thorough cleaning. Cleaning wipes are used to diligently clean common areas, equipment, ORs, stretchers, and other items by staff once patients leave the area they are in (Business Office, Lobby, Operating Rooms, Recovery Room).

Meticulous hand washing or foaming with medical-grade hand antiseptics are used frequently by staff and offered to patients upon entry to the facility.

We keep abreast of CDC standards and are willing to implement any recommendations that we are not already performing.