Friday, March 14, 2025
3/14/2025
As a result of COVID-19, hospitals and clinics such as ours are having to implement new protocols for minimizing the spread. Our current facilities are not equipped to protect our patients and staff in the manner that is required. As a result, we will need to renovate and build one medical exam room at each of our 5 medical clinics. This exam room will be converted into a combination negative pressure isolation and ante room. These rooms will be close to our building exit doors so that potentially infected patients could enter the building and the isolation room while minimizing the potential spread to other patients and staff. The potentially infected patient will enter the sanitized isolation exam room, seek the testing and medical attention needed and be able to exit the building while limiting travel through our lobby and other patient care areas. The isolation room will be closed off from other areas and will have an ante room outside the door where providers may put on and remove their PPE in order to further minimize potential spread. We will install a specialized HVAC system creating negative pressure to prevent air exchange between the isolation room and the other areas of the clinic. We will need to create new policies and procedures for the use of the isolation and ante rooms as well as conduct staff education. Our program also includes seeking feedback from users on the effectiveness of the rooms, our policies & procedures, and staff education, and making the necessary changes to maximize effectiveness.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).