What Easing Restrictions Means for Mission Cancer + Blood

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What Easing Restrictions Means for Mission Cancer + Blood

As we continue to navigate through these uncertain times, we find ourselves facing new decisions as the Governor begins to ease restrictions around the state. As we determine how to take steps back into some normal routines, Mission Cancer + Blood wanted to provide an update on how we have handled this pandemic so far and our plans for the near future.

In late February, we recognized the threat the coronavirus could pose to our medically fragile patients and began to “over prepare” in order to protect those in our care. Because of this proactive approach, we were fortunate to secure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). We began using them immediately, even before it was widely recommended, which gave us a strong advantage against the virus as it made its way across Iowa.

In order to maintain our safety-focused approach, what follows is an updated list of precautions and procedures you can expect from Mission Cancer + Blood.

  • All patient-facing staff have their temperature screened upon arrival and don PPE before treating patients. Additionally, each patient is given a surgical mask for their protection. This will continue until there is either a vaccine that is identified or we determine the risk in Iowa of exposure has been significantly mitigated.
  • As patients arrive on-site, all pre-check screening procedures designed to divert any patients with potential coronavirus exposure, will continue until further notice.
  • The multiple infection control stations set up at all entrances providing masks, gloves, tissues and hand sanitizer will remain until further notice.
  • We recognize how important it is for our patients to have emotional support. With that in mind, once restrictions have been eased at the major hospitals in Polk and Dallas Counties (UnityPoint and MercyOne), we will mirror the visitor policies adopted by both systems. All visitors will need to pass screening procedures and adhere PPE requests.
  • For now, we will continue to follow the same restrictions as the hospitals which remains, for the near future, no visitors. When that changes, we will let you know.
  • Any vendor that must access our facilities is required to be screened and masked prior to entry. This will continue until further notice.
  • For the past two months, our facilities have undergone regular, heightened janitorial services. This will continue with no anticipated drawdown in service.
  • In the last two months, we have significantly expanded our capabilities to offer telehealth visits and even repurposed one of our main locations to provide a safe, non-hospital-based location, for patients to have labs drawn for their telehealth visits. We continue to monitor and test multiple platforms for this technology as we want to select the most reliable technology available for these important visits.

We understand many are going through so much uncertainty in the world today including the potential loss of a job or health insurance. We have a team of financial counselors that can help find alternative funding paths as well as navigate Medicaid coverage. Please contact us immediately if you have lost your insurance. We will do everything we can to assist.

Finally, a shout out to our team and physicians. They have risen to these new challenges and continue to dedicate themselves to our patients – their treatment, their safety and their well-being – each and every day. We appreciate the trust placed in us and we will provide additional updates as the situation continues to evolve.

May 1, 2020

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