ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) -- Representatives from the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center say they are screening for COVID-19 before visitors and patients even leave their cars. They say it’s especially important, considering the population they serve. But the new practice leaves some hospital employees out in the cold.
“About 50 - 55% of our total patients are above the age of 55,” said Shaun Shenk, chief of stakeholder relations at the Veterans Affairs hospital. “Additionally, we have long-term living here and inpatient care on our fourth, fifth and sixth floors. So these are the higher vulnerable populations”
Shenk said the medical center has restricted access from Pleasant Valley Boulevard, cutting down on entry points to control traffic flow.
“There’s two points of entry, the main employee parking lot off of 27th Street and the garage off of Fairway Drive,” he said.
Passengers in each vehicle undergo a four question screening, assessing overall health and potential exposure.
“Once they are screened they can enter the campus and then go about their appointments or go about their normal duty days and they won’t have to be screened again,” Shenk said. “Prior to this we had people screening at every single door.”
If a visitor or patient is exhibiting symptoms, Shenk said the new system helps keep any potential virus contained.
“If someone does present out in the garage they get a mask and then they are quarantined until they can see a provider,” Shenk said.
Shenk said the screenings, while necessary, require some hospital staff to be outdoors for hours at a time.
“When you’re out for an extended period of time, it does get quite cold for our screeners,” he said.
On Tuesday, executives from the Altoona Curve stepped up to the plate, donating six propane heaters to the hospital. They hope to offer staff a little relief while they keep veterans and visitors safe.
“They’re really on the front lines, the people here at the VA and all of our health care providers around the country,” said Nate Bowen, the club’s assistant general manager. “Anything we can do to make their lives more comfortable and a little bit easier as they are helping people here in Blair County and around the country as a whole, we’re definitely in favor of helping them out however we can.”
Shenk said the hospital could not take care of veterans without partners like the Altoona Curve.
He wants veterans to know if they are feeling ill, call ahead if possible.
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