Important Notice About Coronavirus and COVID-19

To Our Patients:

As a dedicated provider of the neurosciences at CoxHealth, we are at all times committed to you and your family’s health. We also understand that you have concerns about the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has now been designated a global pandemic.

At Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute, we have been closely monitoring the evolving situation, following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and taking a series of specific actions to protect our patients. These actions include the following special precautions:

CoxHealth is instituting a higher level of visitor restrictions due to to COVID-19.

• Effective 3/17/2020 a simple screening process will be conducted on visitors at entrances of the hospital will be done including a fever and symptom check.
• Only one visitor per patient per day.
• No visitor will be allowed to visit patients with suspected COVID-19.
• No none under the age of 18, with the exception of those seeking medical care, will be permitted into CoxHealth facilities. This age restriction includes all of CoxHealth hospitals and clinics.

We are evaluating all non-urgent, non-critical surgeries.

• We will postpone these surgeries, if you are one of these patients you will be notified.

We will continue to see new patients at this time.

All of our non-essential staff members are conducting business offsite.

• This further reduces the number of people in the office, and therefore the risk of infection.

For new and more up to date information please visit CoxHealth.com at this link https://www.coxhealth.com/newsroom/.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 417-885-3888.

As things change, we will adjust our policies and practices to respond appropriately to new developments. At the same time, we intend to keep you informed about best infection-control practices and what you need to know to keep yourself and your loved one safe.

Please be sure to follow the recommended infection-control guidelines, which come from the CDC.

How can you limit your exposure to the virus?

The best way to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is to avoid being exposed to the virus, which at this time is thought to spread mainly person-to-person. How do you do that?

• Wash your hands with soap and water – frequently and for at least 20 seconds each time
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your face
• Maintain “social distancing” between others (about six feet apart)
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze (and immediately wash or sanitize your hands)

What should you do if you’re sick?

• Stay home except to get medical care when moderately ill – avoid public areas, transportation, events, etc.
• If you’re around other ill persons or caring for others, wear a facemask (N95)
• Cover coughs and sneezes, wash/sanitize hands and clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces daily
• Monitor symptoms – seek prompt medical care if symptoms worsen
• Call your doctor before seeking care, including for appointments scheduled for other reasons
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency

Rest assured that we at Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute are taking this outbreak seriously. We will continue evaluating developments and taking appropriate actions to reduce exposure and keep you up-to-date.

Thank you,

Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute at CoxHealth