In response to rising COVID-19 hospitalization rates, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center will pause all inpatient and outpatient elective procedures at both hospital locations beginning Monday, December 21. Emergent and urgent procedures will continue at both locations. “This was a difficult decision but one that is necessary due to high COVID-19 admission rates at our hospitals,” states Keith Nichols, Chief Operating Officer, YRMC. “By pausing outpatient and inpatient hospital procedures, we manage bed capacity and staffing levels to care for the high patient volumes we are experiencing.”
YRMC continues to see COVID-19 inpatient admissions at record levels. Additional units are being converted to COVID isolation units to care for the high-volume of patients. “Patient admissions for COVID-related conditions have spiked over the past several weeks to record levels,” states Nichols. “As of today, there are over 90 patients receiving care in our COVID units and we expect this trend to continue through the first of the year.”
Other YRMC services will not be impacted by this move at this time. Medical imaging services and other non-hospital-based services will continue as scheduled. “We are taking extra precautions for the safety of our patients and staff at our off-campus facilities,” adds Nichols. “We are increasing the time between patient appointments to allow for deep cleaning and to minimize contact in our lobbies and registration areas.”
YRMC also announced the temporarily closure of an outpatient laboratory draw center at 3120 Clearwater Drive in Prescott, effective Monday, December 21. Patients are being directed to other YRMC outpatient laboratory draw centers in Prescott and Prescott Valley for necessary lab work. The temporary closure will allow staff to be reassigned to support patient care in other areas.
Visitor restrictions continue at both YRMC hospitals. Information regarding visitor restrictions can be found on YRMC’s website located at www.DignityHealth.org/YRMC. Visitors that refuse to follow YRMC’s strict mask use policy will not be allowed to enter.
Hospital officials will continue to monitor and adjust patient care strategies to meet rapidly changing conditions.
“Our caregivers and support teams at Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Yavapai Regional Medical Group continue to demonstrate great courage and dedication to serve our community,” states Nichols. “We can really use the community’s support during this challenging time. Please wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice social distancing.”