Return to health and wellness: We're now open for safe, personalized care.
Our world and the communities we serve have gone through significant change in recent months, and this includes health care. The good news is the positive impact of social distancing we have seen here in North Iowa.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, MercyOne has continued to perform essential surgeries and procedures for patients for whom a delay could cause harm. After a thorough evaluation, we are now moving forward with a phased approach to resume, procedures, and vital services. Safety is our top priority, and we have enhanced protocols in place to protect you and our caregivers.
We want to make sure you do not postpone the care you need to get healthy and stay well. We are prepared to provide safe care for inpatient and outpatient surgeries, procedures, and physician visits. In addition to in-person care, you can also continue to receive the quality care you need from your physician in the comfort of home with telehealth visits.
What is Our Current Visitor Policy?
What Should I do if I Think I Have COVID-19
Call your health care provider if you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Please let your provider know if you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19. Your health care professional will evaluate you to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
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Safety Precautions at MercyOne North Iowa
Safety is our top priority. MercyOne North Iowa has the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 FREE Zones, temperature and symptom screening and testing in place. We are here for you and are committed to keeping you safe while you get the medical care you need. That's why:
- All patients scheduled for elective procedures will receive a COVID-19 test.
- If a patient tests positive, the procedure will be postponed until a negative result is obtained.
- At the time of a negative test result, the procedure will continue as planned in the COVID-Free Zone (COVID-19 Free Zones are areas where we provide care only for those not known to have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.).
- If a patient tests positive, the procedure may continue should the patient’s condition worsen and will enter the facility through a secure entrance separate from the COVID-Free Zone.
- We require face masks at our facilities. We highly encourage patients to acquire their own mask to wear in public. But if you don’t have a mask for your appointment, we can provide a disposable paper mask.
- We also are following the CDC’s standards with cleaning with special attention to surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs and flat surfaces.
- We are continuing safe distancing measures wherever possible
- We remain closed to visitors, with a few exceptions:
- Children under 18 years old admitted to the hospital — one designated guardian.
- Maternity units — one designated support person only.
- Clinic and outpatients requiring advocate for mental or physical support — one designated support person only
- Patients receiving end-of-life care as determined by medical professionals — one support person at a time.
Precautions You Can Take:
You can take precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you If you are sick with COVID-19, or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people and animals
- Wear a facemask
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wash or sanitize your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal items
- Clean all "high-touch" surfaces everyday
- Monitor any symptoms you might be experiencing
Donations
Items can be dropped off in a collection container inside the door of McAuley Hall Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. McAuley Hall is located on MercyOne North Iowa
FAQ's
We are taking a phased approach to resume select services and surgeries to provide clinically necessary care for our patients. If you are feeling sick, have a preexisting condition or have a chronic disease, we want to make sure you do not postpone care that you need to get healthy and stay well. For visits such as routine check-ups, we are continuing to follow CDC guidelines and will help you schedule a telehealth appointment or reschedule the appointment to a later date.
COVID-19 Free Zones are areas where we provide care only for those not known to have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.
To keep you and your family safe, we require masks for all colleagues, patients, and visitors at our facilities. If you have a mask, please wear it to your appointment. If not, we will provide one to you.
To protect the safety of our patients and colleagues, MercyOne locations are not allowing visitors until further notice. Some visitor exceptions will be made:
- Children under 18 years old admitted to the hospital — one designated guardian.
- Maternity units — one designated support person only.
- Clinic and outpatients requiring advocate for mental or physical support — one designated support person only.
- Patients receiving end-of-life care as determined by medical professionals — one support person at a time.
Care teams have implemented innovative approaches to keep patients connected to their loved ones while visitor restrictions are in place, including expanded rounding and communication approaches to help family members stay connected with providers about their loved one’s care plan.
All patients scheduled for elective procedures will receive a COVID-19 test prior to the surgery/procedure. If a patient tests positive, the procedure will be postponed until a negative result is obtained. At the time of a negative test result, the procedure will continue as planned in the COVID-19 FREE Zone. However, if a patient tests positive, the procedure may continue should the patient’s condition worsen.
Safety is our top priority. If you need to come in-person, safety protocols are in place to protect you and our caregivers. We've set up COVID-19 FREE Zones to keep COVID-19 positive patients separate from others. We have the needed personal protective equipment (PPE), screening and testing in place for all patient care facilities. Appropriate testing, workforce, and supplies are monitored daily, and we continue to clean and disinfect high touch surfaces to prevent transmission of the virus following the CDC's standards for COVID-19 safety. You may be afraid anytime you need to visit a hospital or receive medical care, and we understand this is a more concerning time than usual. We are here for you and are committed to keeping you safe while you get the medical care you need.
Virtual care is available from the comfort of home. You can also call your physician for an appointment or to schedule a surgery, procedure or in-person visit. We are taking a phased approach to resume select services and surgeries to provide clinically necessary care for our patients.
If you are struggling with your emotional health, feel stressed or are depressed, call MercyOne Behavioral Services Clinic at 641-428-7797 or MercyOne Family Health Line at 641-428-7777. We can help you. If it is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Emergency surgeries will continue.
If you are calling for an appointment in any of our specialties please call your doctor’s office. We are happy to help you with scheduling.
The health and safety of our patients and colleagues is our number one priority. MercyOne’s phased approach to resuming services follows federal and state guidelines. We are maintaining close tracking of workforce, supplies, medication, equipment… and reserving capacity in the event of a new increase in COVID-19 cases.
