March 25, 2020

Avita Limits Patient Entrances at Hospitals

BUCYRUS/GALION/ONTARIO – To ensure every patient entering Bucyrus, Galion, and Ontario Hospitals is assessed for fever and other COVID-19 symptoms, Avita Health System is limiting patient entrances to one per hospital. This temporary precaution will take effect tomorrow, March 26 until further notice.

The decision to reduce patient entrances to one per hospital is part of a continued effort to protect patients, visitors, employees, medical staff, and the community from COVID-19 exposure and to limit potential spread of the illness. Avita is assessing every patient that enters the hospital by administering a temperature check and asking screening questions immediately upon entry.

Patients that present to the Emergency Department (ED) with a fever are given a mask, their hands are sanitized, and they are immediately roomed for further medical evaluation. Patients that present to the hospital for clinic and ancillary services go through the same screening process and may be referred to their ordering physician for additional instructions or evaluation. Avita acknowledges that these precautions are inconvenient for patients and are asking for cooperation to ensure everyone’s protection.

The ED entrances at Bucyrus and Galion Hospitals will be the only ones to remain open, as well as the main entrance at Ontario Hospital. The East (mall) entrance next to Ontario Hospital will close, but the doors that separate Richland Mall from the hospital will re-open for patients to access pharmacy, imaging, and the physician clinics located in the atrium.

Avita’s outpatient pharmacy will continue to offer curbside prescription pick-up to limit foot traffic in the facility. Patients are directed to pull into one of the designated parking spaces on the East side of the hospital and call the Pharmacy telephone number on the sign: 567-307-7570. Prescriptions will be delivered directly to patient vehicles.

To answer questions and address concerns about COVID-19, Avita’s Coronavirus Information Hotline has expanded hours and is now available from 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday at 419-468-0800.

Avita Health System’s team of experts are dedicated to the health and safety of the community. Avita will continue to monitor hospital operations, assess the needs of the community, and take necessary COVID-19 precautions as the situation develops and new information emerges.