CR health care providers moving to next phase of service

Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa in Cedar Rapids’ MedQuarter. CREDIT PCI

By CBJ News Staff
news@corridorbusiness.com

Health care providers in Cedar Rapids have announced plans to enter into the third of four phases in resuming local health care services June 1, with the resumption of previously scheduled surgery cases with post-operative hospital stays.

The phased-in approach to reopening was developed in March by a collaborative community planning group including Mercy Medical Center, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa and Linn County Anesthesiologists PC. That plan was put into motion in early May with the reactivation of select surgical and outpatient services.

Extensive safety measures will remain in place, including limiting visitors, screening all who enter health care facilities, requiring masking and establishing rigorous cleaning and sanitizing processes. The group will also begin COVID-19 preoperative testing for the safety of patients, doctors and nurses.

“We will continue to closely monitor the pandemic and will expand the number of procedures available in the coming weeks, eventually returning to the level of pre-pandemic services, if we are able to continue to meet our guiding principles safely,” the group said in a press release announcing the change. CBJ