Much has Been Accomplished and There is Still Much to Do

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Your team at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is committed to the ongoing safety of our patients, staff and community during the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Our primary concern during this time is to keep you healthy and informed as together we address this unprecedented situation.

We are all facing the realities of COVID-19 in our community – like so many others across the country. We are thankful that our exposure hasn’t been as severe as what others are facing right now. We also know that we are not immune to the same type of situation.

There have been patients that have tested positive at YRMC and we have had our first confirmed positive inpatients – but not many to date. Others have been admitted as “Patients Under Investigation” that have thankfully been cleared and discharged.

It is important to note that not everyone exposed to the virus will catch it, and those who do may exhibit few if any symptoms. Many otherwise healthy individuals can safely recover at home. Those with underlying health conditions are the most likely to require hospitalization. While this virus continues its unpredictable activity, you can rest assured that our teams are working closely with our community partners to manage the situation and give you the best possible care.

The fluid nature of COVID-19 may make it hard to anticipate, but that doesn’t mean our hands are tied. We have and will continue to learn from other healthcare systems impacted by this virus. While we hope for the best, we are prepared for the worst. We are taking every measure at our disposal to fight this pandemic—working closely with partners on the national, state and local level. If we each do our part to slow the spread, we can protect ourselves and help ease the burden for everyone.

What We Can Do

At this point in time, YRMC would like to share the following information on how to stay as safe as possible while still receiving the care you need:

  • We are asking visitors to avoid coming to our hospitals. Our Emergency Departments stand ready to provide the care you need and we are still performing emergent and urgent procedures. If you feel that you need to visit, call ahead to the unit and/or department for restrictions and instructions.
  • The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you are showing signs of these, please contact your healthcare provider. Your provider can instruct you on the best course of action.
  • When visiting YRMC West or YRMC East, you may enter and exit our parking lots as usual. Upon arrival, all patients and visitors are being directed to the appropriate screening station and asked three questions: Do you have a cough? Do you have a fever? Are you having difficulty breathing? Your temperature will also be taken.
  • Currently, if you respond “yes” to any of the above questions, you will be directed to an outdoor triage tent for further evaluation. These triage tents help to mitigate the chance of spread within our hospitals to keep our patients and staff safe.
  • If testing is necessary, both YRMC West and YRMC East are equipped to administer the test for patients that meet the criteria for testing. It’s important to note that YRMC is not providing drive-up testing.
  • We understand there is much interest from the community regarding our ability to provide appropriate beds and equipment to meet this challenge. We have established dedicated units for both Patients Under Investigation (PUI) and confirmed positive patients. Our response plan is designed to be implemented in phases and we are currently at Phase One. Contingency plans are in place for additional beds should the need arise. We continuously monitor the situation and are working closely with community partners to stay ahead of the situation.
  • YRMC is postponing elective and non-emergent surgeries and procedures. We ask that you speak with your doctor to understand your options. This action was taken to comply with an Executive Order issued by Governor Ducey’s office.
  • We also continue to look for alternative ways to care for people while minimizing their risk of exposure. Our YRMC PhysicianCare clinics are now offering telemedicine visits, or virtual visits for appropriate, established patients. We are also working with First Responders to make sure they get the care they need as they continue to put themselves at the front of this pandemic. Keeping our First Responders healthy is a primary concern.
  • The frontline team at YRMC has our full commitment and our deepest respect. Daily we work to protect their health and safety. We are also committed to keeping our team working during this crisis and have created a staffing pool to move underutilized staff to other areas where they can continue to support our Mission.

As conditions change, we will continue to keep you informed. The fluctuating nature of COVID-19 requires vigilant monitoring and adjustment. We are committed to serving our community and protecting our staff by staying on top of these rapidly changing situations.

Slowing the Spread

We remind everyone to heed the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by following these CDC recommendations:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Practice physical distancing and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For More Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the nature of COVID-19 we recommend the following resources:

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