Redington-Fairview General Hospital

Redington-Fairview General Hospital (RFGH) is a local independent critical access hospital providing quality comprehensive health care services. We are located at 46 Fairview Avenue, Skowhegan, Maine. Contact us at (207) 474-5121.

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Committed to Providing Safe Care During COVID-19

Reopening with Safe Care

RFGH has a strong commitment to provide safe, patient-centered care. Your safety is very important to us. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our medical and hospital staff changed practices in order to give you a safe, reliable place to receive your health care.

During the first stages of the Maine Civil Emergency and the State Shut Down, our offices reduced in-person appointments and elective procedures were postponed. Visitation was restricted and the number of hospital staff coming to the premises was reduced.

We are now reopening our offices and increasing our services. Guided by the CDC, we have taken a number of steps, in addition to our usual infection control practices, to ensure that our facilities are safe so you can be confident in receiving safe care:

We are cleaning common areas such as waiting rooms more frequently.
We have organized seating and rearranged furniture so that you will be 6 feet from others.
Scheduled patients are screened for COVID symptoms before arrival.
Everyone who enters the building is screened for COVID symptoms and has a temperature check.
Exam rooms are fully disinfected between each patient.
Private inpatient rooms are provided.
The emergency department screens patients in the ED parking lot and some patients are treated and discharged without entering the building.
The laboratory department offers outdoor blood specimen collection so you can get your routine blood work done without having to enter the building.
Patients with possible COVID symptoms are isolated in rooms with special air handling and filters so there is no contamination of the rest of the hospital.

Limited Visitors

In order to socially distance, reduce the traffic in our facilities, and reduce the risk of exposure between patients, visitors, and staff; we have limited visitors to just one person. The Emergency Department and Oncology are still not able to accommodate visitors because of space limitation.

Masking and Hand Sanitation

All staff wear masks to ensure the safety of our patients.
All visitors and patients are required to wear a mask while in our facilities. You can bring your own mask or face covering from home, or we will provide you with one before you enter.
Everyone is asked to sanitize their hands when they enter the building. Hospital staff sanitize their hands before and after each patient encounter.

Expert Care

We remain committed to provide safe, high-quality care with a personal touch. Our safety precautions are guided by our experts in Infection Prevention services. Our medical staff have kept up to date with the most current COVID-19 treatment and prevention guidelines. All our staff are committed to keeping you and our community safe.

Providing Safe Appointments for Our Patients

Your health is important to us. Similar to most hospitals in the state, Redington-Fairview General Hospital (RFGH) had to limit office visits and non-urgent procedures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and have started increasing office visits and scheduling procedures. If COVID-19 remains low in our community, we will continue to increase services as long as we can safely do so. We have implemented the following safety measures to keep our community safe:

Scheduling

All patients will be pre-screened by phone prior to their appointments. We’ll ask you about your overall health and any specific symptoms you may currently be experiencing.

We will also gather needed information from you (such as insurance information and updated address and contact information), in an effort to reduce the amount of time you are in our offices filling out paperwork.

For certain procedures, you may be required to be tested for COVID-19 as a precaution. Your provider will let you know if this is required.

Visitors

Visitation remains restricted at RFGH. We have updated our visitor policy for the following:

COVID-19 Patient or Person Under Investigation (PUI) - No visitors are allowed for COVID-19 patients or patients suspected of COVID-19.

Emergency Department - No visitors are allowed in the Emergency Department treatment areas. The exceptions are one parent or guardian for minors and one visitor if the patient requires help with communication from the team or when the visitor is vital to the patients care and well-being.

Outpatient Services - No visitors are allowed to accompany patient at our outpatient areas with a few exceptions:

A parent or guardian with minors
One visitor with obstetrical ultrasounds
One visitor with patient in office practice and Oncology Unit if patient needs assistance due to mobility, altered mental status, cognition, communication or when the visitor is vital to the patients care and well-being.

Inpatient - Except for COVID-19 patient or PUI (see above) inpatients are allowed one visitor per day between 8am-8pm.

The patient will designate who their visitor for the day will be.
While only one visitor per day, that designated person can change each day.
Both parents/guardian may visit a pediatric patient
Both the visitor and patient will wear a mask or face covering for the duration of the visit.
Obstetrical patients may have one visitor accompany them for the birthing experience.
Patients who are at the end-of-life may have up to two visitors

Day Surgery or Endoscopy - Day Surgery or Endoscopy patients undergoing outpatient surgery or procedures may have one visitor to drop off and pick up the patient following the procedure.

Staffing

All of our providers and supporting staff are screened on a daily basis for COVID-19 symptoms. All staff will follow safety protocols including wearing masks and other protective gear that is deemed necessary.

Facility

On the day of your appointment/procedure, you will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, including having your temperature checked.

Everyone is required to wear a mask while in the facility. If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.

Hand sanitizing stations will be available and we request you sanitize your hands before and after each interaction.

We have worked to streamline our office procedures in order to reduce the amount of people in a waiting area at any given time, and to reduce the overall time you spend in our facility.

We have implemented frequent and strict cleaning protocols in all areas of our facility.

Telehealth

Our providers will still continue to offer telehealth visits via telephone or video via phone, tablet, laptop or desktop.

COVID-19 Testing at RFGH

Redington-Fairview General Hospital is currently providing COVID-19 testing by provider order only. You must have an order from your provider.

COVID-19 testing is available Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday, 7:00 - 11:00 am.

Patients seeking a COVID-19 test should drive up to our Emergency Department (ED) Outside Lane, which is set up outside the ED entrance, to check in.

Hospital staff will screen you and give you directions for obtaining your test. Please turn your vehicle engine off during this interaction.

Lab staff will be available to collect samples outside, without patients having to get out of their car.

Please note: The ED Outside Lane is also being used to triage people seeking care in our Emergency Department. After an initial screening, a provider will determine if you should stay in your vehicle for evaluation or treatment, or be brought into the ED for care.

Disclaimer: The RFGH COVID-19 testing lane is not a State of Maine testing site. You must have a provider order to obtain your test at our site.

Care of the ED Patient During COVID-19

In order to keep our patients and staff safe, this is what you can expect when you come to the Emergency Department.

Outside (ED LANE)

You will be greeted by an RFGH staff member to ask the reason for your visit.

Please shut off your vehicle to maintain the safety of our staff.

An emergency medical provider will see you to determine if you should stay in your vehicle or be brought in to the emergency department for further evaluation.

If you are staying outside for evaluation and/or treatment:

A nurse will perform vital signs and ask you information important to your treatment.
The provider will determine your course of treatment and explain discharge instructions.
A phone number will be obtained so that a registrar can call you after you are done to verify personal information.

Inside the ED

If you are brought into the ED you will be greeted by an ED staff member directing you to an ED room.

You will notice all staff entering and exiting your room wearing a gown, face shield, mask, and gloves.

The door will remain closed if possible.

The ED provider will enter the room initially to perform an assessment and order appropriate treatment.

The ED provider will then attempt to limit frequent interactions in your room by using a telephone to speak with you for ongoing reassessments, update you on your test results, and provide discharge instructions.

During your stay the ED registrar will also call your room to update your personal information.

RFGH is committed to providing quality, compassionate care. During these times our actions are to provide you and our staff the safest environment possible. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

RFGH Community Classes, Meeting, and Events Postponed

For the health of our community, the following community classes and meetings at RFGH are postponed until further notice.

Monthly & Weekly Support Groups:
AA
Better Breathers
Cancer Support Group
Diabetes Support Group
Healthy Heart
Narcotics Anonymous
Recovery Group

Community Classes & Events:
Advance Directives
Weigh to Go! & Road to Wellness
National Diabetes Prevention Program
Safe Sitter
Advanced Care Planning

In addition, Rehab & Fitness Services Community Pool and Somerset Sports & Fitness are closed until further notice.

The RFGH administration may make additional decisions concerning scheduled classes, group meetings, and presentations to the community in the interest of community health. We appreciate your support and understanding.

Information and Resources about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Click here to view up-to-date information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 and help keep your family healthy.