Crescent Community Health Center Operations Update Amid COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Gary Collins, CEO
gcollins@crescentchc.org
563.690.2860


Crescent Community Health Center Operations Update Amid COVID-19

DUBUQUE, IA, March 18, 2020 – Crescent Community Health Center (Crescent) is open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, however the following operational changes are being made to prevent the virus spread for the safety of our patients, staff and community:

  • Effective immediately Crescent asks patients to limit and/or eliminate appointment accompanying visitors at this time. 
  • Until further notice 100% of patients and staff are being screened for symptoms (not COVID-19 tested) upon entering the clinic.
  • Patients may receive a call asking if they want to reschedule all non-essential visits following social distancing protocols as advised by the Iowa Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Appointment cancellation and rescheduling is up to the discretion of the patient. 
  • All direct care staff are utilizing personal protective equipment including masks in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) universal precautions for patient care. 

Crescent is collaborating with the city as part of the Joint Information Center for the Dubuque Countywide Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Operations are subject to change with mandates and recommendations from all levels of the government. 

As indicated by Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) health centers are expected to plan for the continued provision of ongoing preventive and primary care to their patients, consistent with the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers Final Rule. Specifically, health centers must follow the emergency plans they have developed for their facilities and implement their emergency preparedness communication plan based on their CMS-required annual risk assessments and trainings. 

“I am especially impressed by the empathy, tenacity and strength of our dedicated care providers. The Crescent team and all healthcare workers are on the front lines doing anything possible to help in these challenging times,” said Gary Collins, Chief Executive Officer. “I am honored to work with so many remarkable people each day and I am immensely proud of their contributions during this crisis.”

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About Crescent
Crescent Community Health Center first opened its doors in October of 2006. Crescent was founded by a group of dedicated board members made up of community stakeholders who identified the need for primary medical and dental care for underserved populations. Since then, Crescent has been providing high-quality primary and preventive medical and dental care to members of the community.