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COVID-19 Update

At ­­­­­Silver Cross Surgery Center our mission is to care for each patient as if they were our family.  We are continually adapting our practices to stay up to date with the most current requirements to ensure your safety.

We have implemented the following measures to ensure your safety:

  • Thorough screening process prior to surgery for all patients
  • Imposing visitor restrictions
  • Screening protocols for staff and any vendors that must visit the facility
  • Universal masking of everyone in the facility
  • Making hand sanitizer available at the entrance to the facility
  • Disinfecting work surfaces several times a day and disinfecting patient care areas as soon as the patient is transferred to another location or discharged
  • Requiring staff to stay home if they are ill
  • Fewer surgeries allowing us to ensure proper air exchanges in our operating rooms

We are working with local and state health departments, and are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and recommendations.  In our operating rooms and across all patient care areas, we provide the highest level of cleaning and disinfecting by following guidelines from the CDC and the Association of Operating Room Nurse (AORN). 

As we work together to keep patients, visitors and our staff safe, here’s what we ask you to do:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before and after eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • Only touch the edge of your mask – do NOT touch it in front of your nose or mouth
  • Avoid close contact with people that are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
  • Avoid shaking hands

Prior to surgery

One week prior to the date of your surgery you will need to begin to self-monitor at home by taking your temperature and monitoring for cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or loss of sense of taste or smell.  Please call the facility if you develop a fever or any of these symptoms.  You should also let your surgeon know.

Within 72 hours of surgery, you must have a COVID-19 RT-PCR tested completed with negative results.  After being tested, you must self quarantine until the day of surgery.

If at any time within the 7 days prior to your procedure you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms please call the facility at 815-717-1745 and let us know.   You should also let your surgeon know.  Remember, this is elective surgery.  If you are sick, we are happy to help you reschedule.

Visiting our Center on the day of surgery

For the safety of our patients and visitors, we ask that you:

  • Come to the facility wearing a clean mask.If it is homemade, wash it in hot water the evening before surgery.If you do not have a mask, we will provide one to you.
  • Pull up under the main entrance awning for screening
  • Then, call the registration desk and let them know you have arrived at 815-717-1745.You will be asked screening questions over the phone.
  • One of our team members will come out to your vehicle and take your temperature. This screening process is mandatory for every person entering the facility.
  • Upon completion of the screening process, you will be escorted into the building to complete registration and begin your pre-surgical care.

For the utmost safety of all, we require all visitors to remain in their cars or return home as visitors are prohibited at this time, unless the visitor is a legal guardian, such as a parentIt is very important to provide us with a good phone number for your visitor as we will contact them upon completion of your recovery and will provide them with your instructions for discharge.  In addition, your surgeon may call them to provide updates on your care.

To learn more about coronavirus symptoms, visit cdc.gov

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What is coronavirus?

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory (lung) illness with symptoms such as:

  1. Fever
  2. Cough
  3. Shortness of breath
  4. Difficulty breathing
  5. Loss of sense of taste or smell
  • How does coronavirus spread?
    1. Coronavirus can be spread in several ways. Follow this link for more information.
  • How can I prevent contracting or spreading the virus?
  1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands.
  3. Stay away from people who are sick or have had recent travel
  4. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then throw tissue away.
  5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched items and surfaces.
  6. Stay home when you are sick, except to receive medical care.
  • What do I do if I think I have coronavirus?
    1. Call your doctor right away for advice and minimize contact with others.
    2. Stay home except to get medical care.
    3. If you have shortness of breath, call 911 immediately.
    4. Do not come to the surgical facility without clearance from your physician.
  • Mask Options
    1. You may purchase a mask from Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart or similar retail stores
    2. You may wear a clean cloth mask (please wash it in hot water the night before surgery) 

Please know that we have an unwavering commitment to the safety of our patients, visitors and team. Thank you for choosing our center to meet your healthcare needs.