HHD continues to provide high quality healthcare while protecting patients and staff

Haxtun and Fleming family medicine centers have implemented new changes in order to keep communities safe and healthy while still allowing individuals to get the healthcare they need. Haxtun Hospital District recognizes that individuals have other healthcare needs other than COVID-19 symptoms but there could be an overall fear of entering a healthcare facility during this time. The Haxtun and Fleming family medicine centers have taken strides to help eliminate that fear.

HHD is ramping up services at the Fleming Family Medicine Center for routine appointments. The HHD Fleming location will see individuals who aren't sick but who need to be seen for regularly scheduled appointments. Tuesdays will be for general wellness visits, Wednesdays will be for chronic care patients such as those with COPD and Asthma and Thursdays will be for Diabetic patients.

"The risk of contracting an airborne virus at one of these visits remains low. Individuals still need to take care of their everyday health and these visits play a vital role in doing that," stated Dr. Craig McCarty.

"Our goal for the Fleming location is to create a space where people aren't worried about contracting something because of someone sick that has been in before them. Seeing only healthy patients at our Fleming location creates that space," Dr. Breck McCarty added.

The Haxtun Family Medicine Center is open with regular hours. Routine appointments, like wellness exams and vaccinations along with appointments for those needing other general care, are being scheduled in the mornings at the clinic. Afternoon appointments are being saved for individuals who are not feeling well and need a same-day appointment. The Haxtun Family Medicine Center then undergoes a deep clean every night and is ready for patients the next day.

"Much like going to the grocery store for specific things, people need healthcare for specific things. Those services cannot stop during this time and we are taking strong measures to ensure the safety of those who need care," said Julia Biesemeier, HHD Director of Marketing.

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call ahead prior to coming to an HHD facility.

"So far, this process has been extremely efficient for us," said HHD's Clinic Manager, Tabitha Schanhals. "Our staff meets the individual at their vehicle with masks and any other appropriate protective gear. We take patients through a separate entrance and straight into a designated respiratory room. Patients are fully evaluated and our lab staff collects test specimens in that room. HHD staff then fully sanitizes the room after the patient has left."

Emergency services ramped up for COVID-19 at HHD

HHD has recently converted a space into a third Emergency Room for respiratory patients only. This new ER Room has a separate entrance into the facility that is isolated from the rest of the building. It will allow HHD staff to care for potential COVID-19 patients away from other areas of the building. A separate HHD Ambulance is also being setup for potential COVID-19 patients.

Other recent preparations for HHD and COVID-19

Under normal circumstances, the 25-bed capacity that HHD adheres to is regulated by the State of Colorado. HHD has been granted by the State the ability to increase its bed capacity by 10 beds, bringing the total number to 35.

Applying for this waiver gives HHD the ability to take care of more patients in the community if the need arises. It also gives HHD the ability to take non-critical, non-COVID-19 patients from other areas if need be, however, HHD is committed to ensuring that our beds are available for our community when needed.

Local entities donate supplies

Seaboard Farms and Save The Site have donated a number of N95 masks to HHD. Additionally, Seaboard Farms also provided the facility with 50 Tyvek suits for hospital staff members.