Mercy Ramps Up Select Medical Services and Surgeries with Enhanced Safety Measures

SPRINGFIELD — As the positive impact of social distancing begins to flatten the curve for COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Mercy Medical Center is ramping up select critical services and surgeries to provide clinically necessary care for the health and well-being of area patients. This initiative is a regional effort, as Mercy is joining Trinity Health Of New England sister hospitals in Connecticut — Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, and Johnson Memorial Hospital — in resuming these critical services and surgeries.

“Trinity Health Of New England is enhancing safety precautions already in place in order to ramp up select surgeries, procedures, and other critical services as we remain committed to providing the safe, quality care we know our patients and communities need,” said Dr. Reggy Eadie, president and CEO of Trinity Health Of New England and an emergency medicine physician.

“People need to know it is safe to seek essential treatment,” added Deborah Bitsoli, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. “In line with our core value of safety, we are taking a thoughtful, phased approach to resuming select services and are following CDC and state COVID-19 guidance to provide a safe environment for patients and colleagues.”

Enhanced safety measures at Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health Of New England hospitals include:

• COVID-free zones, which are areas where care is provided only for people not known to have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms;

• Screening and testing for all patients, colleagues, and approved visitors;

• Providing and requiring masks for everyone in the facilities;

• CDC standards for facility deep cleaning with increased frequency and special attention to surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs and flat surfaces; and

• Continued visitor restrictions.

In addition, all patients scheduled for procedures requiring an overnight stay will be tested for COVID-19 within 24 hours prior to the surgery or procedure. If a patient tests positive, the procedure will be postponed until a negative result is obtained. At the time, if there is a negative test result, the procedure will continue as planned in a COVID-free zone.

“If you are feeling sick or have a pre-existing or chronic condition, we want to make sure you do not postpone care that you need to get healthy and stay well,” Eadie said. “We are here for you and are committed to keeping you safe while you get the medical care you need.”

Trinity Health Of New England also continues to offer telehealth services as a convenient, safe option for patients. For an appointment or to schedule a surgery, procedure, or in-person visit, call (888) 786-2790 or visit trinityhealthofne.org.