HONOLULU – The Queen’s Medical Center (Queen’s) today reopened the Main Operating Room at its Punchbowl campus to non-emergency surgeries, following a series of successful and safe reopenings at The Queen’s Health System’s clinics and other outpatient departments over the past three weeks.
Back in March, non-emergency surgeries were ceased while clinics and other outpatient services, such as diagnostic imaging and endoscopy services, were significantly reduced in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and increase hospital capacity to treat patients with the disease.
Since then, The Queen’s Health System (QHS) has been carefully monitoring system-wide COVID-19 data and has seen a steady decline in the number of symptomatic people tested per week. The percent-positive rate for COVID-19 has also decreased as the weeks have progressed.
“I speak for the entire Queen’s leadership team and our Board of Trustees when I say I am extremely proud of our caregivers, who are our health care heroes,” said Jill Hoggard Green, QHS President and Chief Executive Officer. “In response to the needs of our patients and the community, we began the meticulous process of expanding our health care services and are continuing to provide the safest and highest quality care possible.”
QHS facilities are Prepared to Care, after implementing numerous precautions to ensure a safe environment for patients and caregivers:
- Everyone entering our hospitals or clinics will be screened and asked to wear a mask and sanitize their hands. If a patient does not have a mask, one will be provided.
- Seating in waiting rooms has been adjusted to help assure physical distancing.
- Visitors are not allowed in hospitals, imaging departments or clinics. Patients who have an appointment may be accompanied by one caregiver.
- Staff members are trained in the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols, and have all the necessary equipment to safely care for patients in our community.
- All equipment, surfaces and public areas are cleaned with a disinfectant approved for use and effective in killing the COVID-19 virus.
“Our Infection Prevention and Control team has been working closely with our Environmental Services staff to ensure quality control on cleaning and sanitation in compliance with CDC standards. Our #1 priority is the safety and well-being of our caregivers, our patients and the community. With the added precautions we have taken, we can continue to safely meet Hawaiʻi’s health care needs,” said Green.
On April 27, QHS began the rigorous process of safely expanding the availability of its clinics and outpatient services at Queen’s – Punchbowl, Queen’s – West Oʻahu, Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, Molokai General Hospital, and the Queen’s Health Care Centers.
Patients should contact their provider to schedule an appointment. To find a doctor, visit www.queens.org/findadoctor.
