Healthcare Turning Remote

Distance options for healthcare and limiting non-essential services have begun for area health providers.

Winneshiek Medical Center is curtailing non-essential services, the hospital announced Thursday.

“Effective March 23, 2020, Winneshiek Medical Center is deferring all elective care (care that can wait until later without putting you at risk),” said a statement provided by Mary Marx, director of Marketing and Communications.

If immediate care is needed, this will still be provided.

“This deferment is in alignment with Mayo Clinic and Gundersen Health System,” said the statement.

For its part Gundersen announced it would be moving to phone visits for some patients.

“Effective immediately and for the coming weeks, some scheduled clinic appointments will be converted to a phone visit or canceled to help us focus on preparing for COVID-19 and treating patients with the virus,” said a statement provided Friday.

As with WMC patients, Gundersen staff will be calling patients to reschedule.

“In cases where a patient needs to be seen in person, the appointment will continue as scheduled,” said the statement. “If you do not hear from your provider, plan to be at your appointment. Patients are reminded that only one support person may accompany them to appointments and are asked to drop off and pick up patients, rather than waiting inside the clinic.”  

More information is available at: gundersenhealth.org/covid19