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SRMC Patient Safety

Here's What We're Doing to Keep Our Patients Safe

We want to you to feel safe and comfortable when you come in for an appointment at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center. We follow guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Mexico Department of Health to ensure staff and resources are in place to care for the community.

Has SRMC started doing more cleaning of public areas and patient rooms?

Yes. The SRMC Environmental Services Department created a day porter position to concentrate on sanitizing and disinfecting public areas, primarily focusing on high-touch surfaces.

Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing, though the terms are often used synonymously. Disinfecting is killing the bacteria and viruses on a surface, while cleaning is the removal of visible foreign matter from a surface. It is possible to be clean but not disinfected, and similarly, disinfected but not clean. We use Virex II 256, a hospital- and CDC-approved disinfectant, along with Oxivir and Clorox Healthcare wipes.

According to the CDC, "High-touch surfaces are surfaces that are handled frequently throughout the day by numerous people." Some examples include:

  • Doorknobs/door handles
  • Sink faucets and knobs
  • Light switches
  • Elevator buttons
  • Table surfaces
  • Bathroom counters
  • Toilets (seat and handle)

We intend to continue these practices far beyond the crisis to ensure we are providing a clean and safe environment so that everyone at SRMC feels safe and comfortable when providing or seeking care.

What is SRMC doing to screen patients, visitors and employees?

SRMC is screening all employees, providers, patients and visitors for COVID-19 symptoms and taking the temperature of everyone who enters the building.

How has the visitation policy changed in response to the outbreak?

No visitors are allowed in SRMC unless required for care, or a provider has ordered a specific exception. Waiting rooms will be adjusted to ensure patients and visitors can practice social distancing during an outpatient visit. Learn more about the SRMC visitation policy [PDF].

Are there any new steps in food service to ensure public safety?

Yes. Food and Nutrition employees continue to wash their hands often, as well as wear masks. We've added sanitizer stations, cashier plexiglass barriers and individual sanitizer bottles at checkout. We've also created a process to ensure proper meal delivery that includes towelettes for all patients, including COVID patients. We've added social distancing measures by taping off certain areas and removing tables and chairs to allow for proper distancing. We now provide food delivery for staff and we've added a micro market to help reduce interactions in public areas.

Have there been any changes to help ensure patient safety in other public areas of the hospital?

Yes. Every person at SRMC is required to wear a mask. Taping and signage have been added for marking social distancing.

Any other changes pertaining to patients and visitors?

Yes. We have implemented provider telephone visits and are working toward video visits to reduce the number of people in the clinics at one time. These options will allow patients to see a provider without having to come into the facility. Our Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation clinic is also working on implementing video visit options.

Categories: Community Engagement, Health, News You Can Use, Top Stories