COVID Information: Review our current visitor policies or visit the COVID-19 Resource Center. *For everyone’s safety, masks are required at all times in our facilities. Thank you.

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Author Amanda Polacek Categories Uncategorized

OSHA Issues COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standards

In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) issued on June 10, 2021, Kearney Regional Medical Center has the following policies in place to minimize risk of transmission of COVID-19 within our facility.

  • All patients and visitors entering the facility will be screened for symptoms of, or high-risk exposure to COVID-19. Only healthy visitors will be permitted.
  • All persons shall remain masked at all times while in the facility.
    • Patients and visitors are allowed to wear cloth masks, or a hospital issued mask will be given to them if they are unmasked. A face-shield can be worn in place of a mask in certain situations if the patient or visitor has a physical limitation to wearing a mask. Accommodations may be allowed on a case-by-case basis when a person cannot wear a mask due to exemptions required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or due to religious beliefs consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
    • Vaccinated staff may choose to remove their masks in non-patient care areas.

The following areas will have exceptions to this policy:

  • COVID-19 positive patient rooms: no visitors.
  • The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) & Emergency Room (ER): visitors may be limited at the discretion of the care team.

Individuals that are unwilling to follow Infection Prevention Policies will be asked to leave the facility. Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Author Amanda Polacek Categories Uncategorized

Kearney Regional Medical Center to Allow Visitors Starting Thursday, April 15th

Starting Thursday, April 15, healthy visitors will be welcomed back to Kearney Regional Medical Center and Platte Valley Medical Clinic.

All patients and visitors must follow these requirements:

  • Check in at any entrance and complete a COVID-19 screening. This includes a temperature scan and a short health history questionnaire. (This is not a COVID-19 test).
  • Wear a mask at all times. All persons must remain masked at all times in the facility. A disposable mask will be provided if a patient/visitor does not have one. Children able to wear a mask will be allowed to visit and/or accompany an adult to the hospital or clinic.

Any individual that is unwilling to follow these Infection Prevention policies will be asked to leave the facility.

The following areas will have exceptions to this policy:

  • COVID-19 positive patient rooms: no visitors.
  • The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): only parents/guardians may visit.
  • Emergency Room: limited visitors are recommended if and whenever possible.

 

The decision to allow visitors was made by the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) team in response to a variety of factors including lower COVID-19 rates within the community, low to no outbreak of COVID-19 among staff, and the growing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination has been offered to all staff members since January.

HICS, which includes both administrators and physicians from Kearney Regional Medical Center, meets routinely to analyze local and regional data about COVID-19 and to discuss policies that will ensure the continued safety of staff, patients, visitors and the community. The group also participates in multiple cohorts of health officials throughout that state including the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Hospital Association.

Allowing visitors back to the facility is a decision made with an abundance of caution and optimism said Infection Prevention Coordinator Josette McConville. “We recognize that this is a fluid situation and are prepared to reimplement restrictions if necessary. We also recognize the importance of friend and family visitation in the healing process of our patients and are excited to be able to offer that option again to those that want to visit,” said McConville.

Author Amanda Polacek Categories Uncategorized

Kearney Regional Medical Center Earns Blue Distinction Center+ Designation for Exceptional Maternity Care

Blue Cross and Blue Shield has placed Kearney Regional Medical Center on its national list of Blue Distinction Centers+ for maternity care. This is the top distinction given by the company for facilities that demonstrate quality, safety and cost-saving measures.

“We are extremely proud to receive this designation and be able to recognize our great team of providers, nurses and staff in the Maternity Care Center for the high quality care they provide our patients,” said Bill Calhoun, CEO of Kearney Regional Medical Center.

Kearney Regional Medical Center is one of only five facilities in Nebraska to be awarded this high honor.

To be named a Blue Distinction Center+ for maternity care, a facility must meet several quality and safety measures developed with input from the medical community. Research shows that facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients compared with their peers.

Facilities must also meet cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable health care. On average, cost of care for births at Blue Distinction Centers+ are 20 percent less than those at non-Blue Distinction Centers+ facilities.

“This recognition affirms the high quality and cost-efficient care provided at this facility.  We’re pleased to have Kearney Regional Medical Center as part of our network for our member’s maternity care needs,” said Deb Esser, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska.

Kearney Regional Medical Center opened its Maternity Care Center in January 2017 and today delivers 69 percent of all babies in Buffalo County. They offer large, private birthing suites and a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

Learn More About the Maternity Care Center
Author Amanda Polacek Categories Uncategorized

Heart to Heart Support Group: All About AFib

Our next Heart to Heart Support Group will meet on Wednesday, March 17th.
Hear from Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner Valerie Fredericksen about the signs of and treatment options for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
Sign up here to receive the link in your email inbox!
The Heart to Heart Support Group is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with heart failure or other heart condition and their family members or friends.
This group will meet monthly on the Third Wednesday of the month either virtually or at the Peterson Activity Center at Yanney Park.
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