COVID-19 Updates

PHC clinics are open and our providers are seeing patients. An alternative to coming into the clinic is to schedule a Virtual Visit. It’s easier than you think and will allow you to speak to your healthcare provider without leaving the safety of your own home.

If you have general questions about COVID-19, we encourage you to call your home PHC location. If you are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with a person that has tested positive for COVID-19, we recommend scheduling a Virtual Visit with your healthcare provider or visit one of our Respiratory Clinics (located in Des Moines and Marshalltown).  We ask that if you are experiencing these symptoms that you do not come into a PHC clinic without calling first.

PHC has infection control procedures in place to ensure a safe visit for our patients and employees. Safety precautions we have implemented include:

• Door screeners stationed at the entry of every PHC clinic. They take the temperature of all persons entering the building and ask questions that may determine if the patient has COVID-19. If the patient meets the guidelines for a suspected COVID-19 case, they are redirected to our Respiratory Clinic.
• It is required for all staff to take their temperature at the beginning of their shift. If the employee has a fever, they are sent home. Staff who are not feeling well are asked to stay home.
• Providing hand sanitizer to all patients at the door screening station.
• Providing a mask to patients who report fever, cough, or shortness of breath (please call ahead if you are experiencing these symptoms).
• Exercising “social distancing” in our patient waiting areas or allowing patients to wait in their cars.
• Vendors, visitors, observers, and other non-essential individuals are not granted access to PHC clinics at this time.
• One patient-caregiver will be allowed in the clinic with a patient, only if necessary.
• PHC employees practice hand hygiene and wear personal protective equipment when appropriate.
• Our facilities team maintains a robust sanitation routine to ensure our patient and staff areas are clean and follow infection control guidelines.
• We do recommend that children 2 and under keep appointments for immunizations. These important vaccinations should not be skipped.

We are privileged to serve you and will continue to provide the highest level of quality care and communication around COVID-19.

If you’re looking for additional resources, please make sure that you are getting your information from a reputable source. We recommend starting here:

• CDC (www.cdc.gov)
• IDPH (www.idph.iowa.gov)
• WHO(www.who.int)

Thank you for being a PHC patient.

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