To you, our valued patient,

While the coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, one thing that has not changed is our commitment to you. Your health and safety have always been our top priority and now is no different.

We are grateful for the way that many of you have accepted phone visits as a new way of receiving care. While phone visits will remain good options in many cases, we are now carefully resuming in-person appointments, including tests and procedures that had been postponed. Please know that as we do this we are focused on keeping you and our staff safe through the following measures:

• We are keeping the number of visits and procedures that we do each day much lower than usual to decrease the number of people in our buildings.  
• Everyone in Eskenazi Health buildings is required to wear a face mask. This includes all patients, visitors and staff members. We will provide masks for those who need them. Masks reduce the spread of the virus especially from people just coming down with the infection who may not know they are getting sick. We wear masks to protect others, not just ourselves.
• We are screening people entering our buildings for illness. We do not allow our staff to come to work if they feel sick.
• We have placed hand sanitizers at all entrances and where patients and staff travel in our buildings. Please use them when you are here.
• We are cleaning all surfaces that people touch (such as door handles, table tops, and the arms of chairs) frequently. The procedures we use to clean all of our patient care rooms are proven to kill the virus.
• We have arranged waiting areas to keep people well separated from each other.
• We are limiting visitors to one adult visitor for patients undergoing procedures. No visitors, including children, may accompany patients to clinic appointments or procedures. Again, this is to reduce the number of people in our buildings. Please contact your treatment team in advance if you need someone to attend your appointment with you.

At a time when it’s easy to feel like things are out of your control, here are some things you can do that will protect both you and others:

• Wash your hands with soap and water 5 to 10 times a day.
• Don’t touch your face if you haven’t first washed your hands.
• Wear a mask when outside of your home. A cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth, fits closely to your face, and is washed every day greatly reduces the transmission of the virus.
• Practice social distancing: try to stay at least 6 feet away from people in public, even when both of you are wearing masks.

We know your health care needs haven’t stopped because of the coronavirus and it’s very important to get needed care. Please do not wait.

If you need to schedule an appointment, please call Eskenazi Health Connections at 317.880.7666. You can also connect with your primary care provider’s office through your Eskenazi Health MyChart account online at EskenaziHealth.edu. We welcome your questions and appreciate the opportunity to address any concerns you may have.

We’re here when you need us. And, working together, we will keep you safe.

Sincerely,

Lisa Harris, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Eskenazi Health

More Information on Eskenazi Health’s COVID-19 Response