TALLAHASSEE, Fla., – After recently receiving the only ‘A’ in the region from the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report, Capital Regional Medical Center announces the launch of the HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative. The Initiative is designed to provide an enhanced patient safety experience in the emergency department (ED) and further emphasize Capital Regional’s safety precautions, including designated care areas for patients. Visual elements have been added to the ED waiting and patient care areas which are coordinated with safety measures and protocols in place, to protect patients, visitors and colleagues.
“Our goal is to encourage those who need medical care, to have confidence that our team’s top priority is to ensure a safe experience,” said Trey Blake, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Capital Regional Medical Center. “Comprehensive safety precautions have been in place at Capital Regional, but our new HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative adds visuals that reinforce these measures while adding an extra layer of protection for our patients and visitors. Our commitment is to illustrate all of the actions we’ve taken to create a safe environment for everyone who walks through our doors.”
The HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative promotes Capital Regional’s four pillars of enhanced safety, which include:
- Access Control – Controlled access points have been established and a health screening will be conducted for those individuals entering the emergency department. Patients with symptoms of respiratory illness or possible exposure are masked and escorted to an appropriate area of the facility, removing the risk of exposure in waiting rooms or common areas. Care givers and clinicians are also screened when entering care facilities.
- Safe Distancing – Patients and visitors are encouraged to help Capital Regional create healthier tomorrows by following visual cues to safely distance and follow infection prevention best practices such as washing and sanitizing hands.
- Infection Prevention – The hospitals universal masking policy ensure appropriate masks are provided for all who enter care facilities to keep patients, clinicians, caregivers, staff and visitors safe. Capital Regional uses a rigorous cleaning process and has increased the cleaning frequency of patient rooms as well as public and common areas with disinfectants that are effective in killing the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as other pathogens.
- Designated Care Paths – Suspected and positive COVID patients will be served by dedicated care teams that will remain in the designated Orange Care Path area; visitors will not be permitted in these areas. Patients who come to our facilities for non-COVID related care needs will have access to the Green Care Path waiting area and will be assessed and treated in separate areas and by designated care teams assigned to the Green Care Path.
“In a time when the community has concerns about seeking care, the designated care paths for suspected and positive COVID-19 patients will be served by dedicated care teams and will follow a protocol that keeps all patients and visitors safe. The visuals have been added for patients and their loved ones so they can see for themselves the measures we’ve put into place,” said Dr. Christopher Tidwell, Medical Director of Emergency Services at Capital Regional Medical Center. “The Initiative is an essential part of our message to the community – don’t delay care and we are here for you today, for a healthier tomorrow.”
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About Capital Regional Medical Center
Capital Regional Medical Center is a fully-accredited healthcare facility with more than 1,400 employees and 380 physicians. We are a 266-bed, acute-care hospital that offers 24/7 Emergency Services in Leon and Gadsden Counties including; a Pediatric ER, and an Express Care ER. Offerings also include a Bariatric Center, Behavioral Health Center, Burn Clinic, Cancer Center, Chest Pain Center w/PCI, Comprehensive Breast Center, Family Center, Heart & Vascular Center, Orthopedic/Spine Center, Physical Therapy Services, Stroke Center, Surgical Services, Network-of-Care Affiliated Physician Practices, and more.
About HCA Healthcare North Florida Division
The HCA Healthcare North Florida Division is a comprehensive network of 14 hospitals, numerous outpatient surgery centers & imaging facilities, physician practices, medical education training programs and a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses in the North Florida and Central Florida communities. HCA Healthcare North Florida physicians and employees continue to provide the quality foundation for delivering care to our patients safely, effectively and compassionately. Its hospitals are Joint Commission Accredited, with designations such as Accredited Chest Pain Centers, Primary Stroke Center Certification and four Level II Trauma Centers in Marion, Okaloosa, Osceola and Seminole county.
