How are we different from Hospitals?
Ambulatory facilities like Prairie SurgiCare are very different from hospitals. Prairie SurgiCare offers a surgical suite nationally accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The AAAHC sets strict guidelines for environments performing procedures and surgeries outside of a hospital setting. There are no urgent care or emergent services in our facility. Additionally, since Prairie SurgiCare is an ambulatory setting, patients having procedures in our facility must meet more strict health criteria. These combined factors generally make our patient population younger and healthier, thereby reducing chances of being exposed to or contracting an illness at our facility.

How are we preventing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our facility?
To help provide the safest possible care and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facility we are urging patients with respiratory symptoms, fever, or with known exposure to anyone diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19 to seek treatment or to call 911 if you are experiencing emergent symptoms. Ensuring the safety of our patients is our number one priority. We continue to closely monitor the situation and keep everyone, including our staff, as safe as possible. Our surgical facility is also taking extra steps in accordance with the CDC and World Health Organization Guidelines. We are postponing purely elective procedures for self-limited disorders and limiting outside traffic into our facility. If your spine condition does require treatment during this time of social distancing, we offer one-on-one nursing care, clean facilities, and typically same-day discharge. These efforts minimize the number of individuals outside of your family with whom you may come into contact.

What are the most common symptoms of COVID-19 and how do I avoid it?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath

The CDC recommends the following preventative steps to keep yourself healthy:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • CDC recommendations for using a facemask
    • The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases including COVID-19
    • Facemasks should be used only by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility)
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

What should I do if I’m Sick?

If you experience any symptoms previously listed, please refrain from exposing others as much as possible and seek medical treatment. Please contact us to reschedule your appointment if you are not feeling well.  If you are exhibiting flulike symptoms, for the protection of our other patients and our staff, you will not be seen and asked to leave. If you have the above flu-like symptoms and need to be seen urgently or emergently, you will need to go to your nearest emergency department where both issues can receive treatment.