How Main Line Health Is Prepping For Coronavirus

MAIN LINE, PA — Officials with the Main Line Health system are preparing to care for people sick with the new coronavirus while simultaneously working to tamp down the spread of the virus.

On Monday, officials provided updated information on how the system is handling the local outbreak.

"At Main Line Health, we are closely following the latest information and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing our patients, staff and community with up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak in our region and how our hospitals are responding."

The system last week announced visitor restrictions at in inpatient and outpatient areas of all Main Line Health hospitals and health centers.

Visitors will not be permitted in inpatient areas, unless clinically necessary. In outpatient areas and in our maternity units, patients are permitted to have one support person with them.

Any approved visitors must pass a risk assessment screening before entry, which includes a series of questions related to travel and respiratory symptoms.

To protect the safety of patients, staff, and community, Main Line Health has instituted several precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of infection and community spread including:

• Implementing visitor restrictions and screening
• Canceling all community events and classes held within Main Line Health facilities
• Placing volunteer duties and activities on hold
• Restricting on-site visits from third-party vendors
• Restricting deliveries of food, flowers, etc. to patients
• Suspended student rotations

Additionally, support groups hosted at Mirmont Treatment Center, Mirmont Outpatient Centers in Exton and Broomall and the Women’s Emotional Wellness Centers in Newtown Square and King of Prussia have been canceled.

This includes:

• Blossom and become
• Mindfulness meditation
• Mindfulness
• After baby connections
• Maintaining wellness
• Substance use disorder step-down

Main Line Health's Intensive Outpatient Program will continue as planned.

We ask for your help in preventing the spread of infection. If you have a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness and are in a Main Line Health facility, please proceed to the front desk immediately to notify a member of staff and obtain a face mask. If you are scheduled to visit a Main Line Health facility for routine appointments or testing and have a fever or flu-like symptoms, please reschedule your appointment or testing.

Regarding maternity patients, the Main Line Health team will answer patient questions and offer the guidance and resources needed to prepare for your new arrival. Details on maternity visitor restrictions and maternity care is available online here.

Patients registered for a childbirth education class or maternity tour at one of a Main Line Health facility hospitals will be contacted by the Childbirth Education team about participating in an online version of the classes. Contact Main Line Health at 484-565-1515 with questions about childbirth education classes.

Testing for COVID-19 is not available at Main Line Health sites, as the test is not available in U.S. hospitals or other primary care settings.

Those who feel they are at risk for coronavirus should call their primary care providers to determine if you are a candidate for testing. Primary care providers will direct patients to testing places if testing is required.

The CDC has developed criteria for identifying a "person under investigation" for the coronavirus based on what is known about the previous coronavirus cases. Currently, the test is not available in U.S. hospitals or other primary care settings.

Testing criteria is changing daily. Currently, the CDC only recommends diagnostic testing of patients who have a fever or are symptomatic and have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Please be advised:

Travelers who have recently returned from China, Iran, Europe and South Korea should self-monitor for respiratory symptoms. If you become sick, call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-7243258 and your doctor’s office or emergency room before going.

At this time, most people in the United States have little immediate risk of exposure to this virus. The CDC recommends individuals and families take preventive measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including:

• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and discarding the tissue after use
• Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective if soap and water are not available.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces at work or at home
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Staying home when you’re sick

The CDC does not recommend that people who do not have symptoms wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if your health care provider recommends it or if you have upper respiratory symptoms.