Ocala Health, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, announces the launch of the HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative. The Initiative is designed to provide an enhanced patient safety experience in Ocala Health’s emergency departments (ED) and further emphasize Ocala Health’s enhanced safety precautions, including designated care areas for patients. Visual elements have been added to the ED waiting and care areas which are coordinated with implemented safety measures and protocols in place to protect patients, visitors and colleagues.

“Our goal is to encourage those who need medical care, to have confidence that our team’s top priority is to ensure a safe experience,” said Richard Petrik, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Ocala Regional Medical Center. “Comprehensive safety precautions have been in place at Ocala Health’s facilities, but our new HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative adds visuals that reinforce these measures while adding an extra layer of protection for our patients and visitors. Our commitment is to illustrate all of the actions we’ve taken to create a safe environment for everyone who walks through our doors.”

The HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative promotes Ocala Health’s four pillars of enhanced safety, which include:

·    Access Control – Controlled access points have been established and a health screening will be conducted for those individuals entering the emergency department. Patients with symptoms of respiratory illness or possible exposure are masked and escorted to an appropriate area of the facility, removing the risk of exposure in waiting rooms or common areas. Caregivers and clinicians are also screened when entering care facilities.

·    Safe Distancing – Patients and visitors are encouraged to help Ocala Health create healthier tomorrows by following visual cues to safely distance and follow infection prevention best practices such as washing and sanitizing hands.

·    Infection Prevention – The hospital’s universal masking policy ensure appropriate masks are provided for all who enter care facilities to keep patients, clinicians, caregivers, staff and visitors safe. Ocala Health uses a rigorous cleaning process and has increased the cleaning frequency of patient rooms as well as public and common areas with disinfectants that are effective in killing the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as other pathogens.

·    Designated Care Paths – Suspected and positive COVID patients will be served by dedicated care teams that will remain in the designated Care Path area; visitors will not be permitted in these areas.

“In a time when the community has concerns about seeking care, the designated care paths for suspected and positive COVID-19 patients will be served by dedicated care teams and will follow a protocol that keeps all patients and visitors safe. The visuals have been added for patients and their loved ones so they can see for themselves the measures we’ve put into place,” said Dr. Richard Petrik. “The Initiative is an essential part of our message to the community – don’t delay care and we are here for you today, for a healthier tomorrow.”