BGH begins measured reopening of clinics, services

SANDPOINT — As Gov. Brad Little did when he laid out a phased reopening of the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bonner General Health will begin a measured process of opening its clinics and services in phases, hospital officials said in a press release.

“This will be a very calculated process,” Sheryl Rickard, Bonner General Health CEO, said. “There are still concerns in our community regarding COVID-19; however, we do feel it is time to begin offering services to those community members in need of medical attention.”

In the first phase, which will continue through May or until it is safe to move onto the second phase, BGH officials said:

• Diagnostic Imaging began screening mammograms, and DEXA scans on Monday, April 27. Ultrasound, MRI, and CT will continue on an outpatient basis. All patients will have a prior screening before their appointments.

Beginning on Wednesday, May 13, BGH will start routine fluoroscopy procedures as deemed medically necessary by the ordering providers (Wednesday only).

• Scheduling of outpatient surgery to low-risk patients will begin. All patients will be given clear pre-operative instructions and will receive a COVID-19 test 24-48 hours before their surgery.

• Sandpoint Women’s Health will continue seeing patients with screening before their scheduled appointment. All scheduled labor and delivery and surgical patients will receive a COVID-19 test 24-48 hours before their surgery.

• The hospital’s Ear, Nose, & Throat, and Ophthalmology clinics will begin seeing a limited number of patients mid-May. Individuals who are waiting for an appointment will be contacted in the coming weeks.

During the first phase, existing visitor restrictions will continue. More information is available on the hospital’s website, BGH officials said. In addition, patients and visitors will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the hospital or its clinics.

• Patients and visitors will be required to wear a cloth mask while in the hospital and its clinics. If an individual does not have one, the hospital will provide one upon entry.

Bonner General Health said the hospital will continue to closely track COVID-19 numbers for the area and will reassess the first phase if necessary. Careful analysis of the community’s health will be taken before moving on to the second phase.

“We commend our citizens for abiding by the stay-at-home order the last several weeks,” Dr. Vincent Huntsberger, director of Bonner General Health Emergency Medicine,” said. “We firmly believe it has kept the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 low in the Panhandle. We do hope our community will continue to be mindful of basic hygiene practices and social distancing to keep our numbers minimal.”

Information: bonnergeneral.org