Executives Check Progress on Northwest ICU Upgrade/Relocation Project

As the new ICU project at Northwest Medical Center continues to progress, executives from Davis Architects and Robins & Morton Construction visited the hospital on Wednesday, June 24. Shown are (L - R) Josh Cain, Sr. Project Manager, Robins & Morton Construction, Jim Hartsell, Vice President, Davis Architects, Michael Windham, Northwest CEO, Julee Potter, Executive Vice President, Davis Architects, and Steve Reed, Director of Plant Operations, as Construction Foreman, Barry Rogers updates the group on the project.

The new ICU area is designed to offer optimal protection with minimal exposure to infectious diseases for staff, patients and families. Once the ICU upgrade/relocation project is completed, Northwest Medcial Center will have an advanced facility, well-equipped to manage the risks posed by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases and provide excellent care for our ICU patients.

Special Precautions Remain In Effect Due to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining 6-feet social distancing and has recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Studies illustrate how COVID-19 can be spread through speaking, coughing, and sneezing--including by asymptomatic people. This is especially important in Alabama where we are experiencing significant community transmission.

Please be mindful of your surroundings while out in the public

To better protect our patients, visitors and staff the following restrictions remain in effect and will be strictly monitored.

Visitation Limitations are as follows:

Visitors are restricted from Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Patients. The 1 family member per patient limitation will be at the discretion of Administration or Infection Control.

Visitors are restricted from our Senior Care unit until further notice.

Visitors are limited to 1 per patient in the ER, Med/Surg and with OR cases. This is to be strictly enforced.

Social Distancing is required (6ft) when possible.

Dining room will remain open at this time, a face mask is required by all visitors and employees when going through the serving line.

Employee and Visitor Screening:

Employees are to Pre-screen for elevated temperature and symptoms daily before starting work.

Visitors will be screened as they enter the facility, by way of the front lobby and the ER. They will be asked to sanitize their hands and put on a face mask. Masks are required at all times throughout the facility.

Visitors who refuse to follow hospital policy will be asked to leave the facility.

At Northwest Medical Center Your Healthcare is Essential

We are here for you now, as always - with open doors and a commitment to keeping you safe

Our doctors, nurses and care teams at Northwest Medical Center are here with you - we've been here the whole time. The extraordinary measures that helped reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) here in Alabama were put in place to ensure you, our caregivers and our communities were safe and protected. Our doors have remained open to our patients who have needed us urgently, while we made the difficult decision to postpone care for others.

Compassionate care means safe care

At Northwest Medical Center, your health and safety are our priority while you're receiving care with us. We know you might have concerns about returning to a doctor's office or having surgery at a hospital. Rest assured that our facilities - hospital, emergency department, clinics and offices - continue to implement safety precautions to minimize the exposure risks related to coronavirus (COVID-19). From screening our associates to rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures, we are balancing care with caution.

We are here for you - and we're not going anywhere

We know this has been a difficult time to take care of your health. Northwest Medical Center won't stop working to keep our community healthy while continuing to care for those who need us most. Now and always, Northwest Medical Center is here with exceptional care, close to home.