COZAD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH

 

COZAD, NE, March 24, 2020 –

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH-COVID-19

While information on COVID-19 is changing daily (sometimes hourly), one thing that can remain constant is the added stress it causes many people. As COVID-19 becomes more real as it spreads thru Nebraska, it is disrupting our daily lives, i.e., no school, no church, no work, staying home, social distancing, and avoiding crowds.  Living like this can be lonely, inconvenient and even frightening, but we must remember it’s for the greater good. With these disruptions come fear and anxiety over the unknown; this can be overwhelming and can cause very strong unsettled emotions in both children and adults.  Some may feel frustrated, bored or scared; others may be angry and confused with this massive disruption of normal.  All these emotions can intensify stress and anxiety.

In times like these, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. People will react to this pandemic differently; so be courteous of others feelings, and try to help reduce stress in yourself and those around you.

Some simple things you can do to support yourself and family members are:

*Take breaks from the news. Whether it’s on tv, radio or social media, constantly reading or hearing about the pandemic can be very upsetting. Give yourself a break! Turn off the TV, turn off the radio, turn off social media; take a break.

*Take care of YOU. Take deep breaths, exercise, mediate, get fresh air, eat healthy, well-balanced meals, get plenty of sleep and avoid drugs and alcohol. It’s also important to keep some level of normalcy in your life so try to stick to a daily routine, (get up and shower in the morning, do designated chores or tasks at the same time each day…)

*Make time to unwind. Do something you enjoy. Read a good book, work on a     puzzle, learn a new hobby, write in a journal, it’s just important to let your mind relax and unwind.

*Connect with others. Even if we can’t hug best friends or go visit elderly parents, technology gives us options to help keep these connections. Using Facetime, Skype, ZOOM, or phone calls (try to make yourself call four people/day) and text messaging, all these can help keep us connected. Despite the necessary social distancing, we can actually strengthen our relationships during these difficult times. 

We at CCHS understand and share your concern about the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are prepared for whatever lies ahead, but continue to ask for everyone’s help with the containment of COVID-19. By working together we will get through this and be stronger together.  Remember, tough times don’t last, tough people do.

Below are phone numbers and website with wonderful resources to help everyone cope: 

*Nebraska Family Helpline- 1-888-866-8660

*Disaster Distress Helpline- 1-800-985-5990

*National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255         

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

 

A Word From Joe Debban, NP

COVID-19 Notifications

 

UPDATE: Cozad Community Health System Restricting Access to ONE visitor per Inpatient

Revised: 03/17/2020

Cozad Community Health System continues to stay up to date on the ever changing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. We are in direct contact with Two Rivers Health Department and Department of Health and Human Services and are tracking all updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

With this in mind, CCHS is restricting all visitations to ONE visitor per inpatient effective immediately until further notice. Taking these precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is vitally important.

If you are an outpatient scheduled for any testing or outpatient services, please be prepared to stop at the front desk as you will be asked a series of screening questions upon entering the hospital.

Again we encourage you to follow the best practices from the CDC to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Help us; help you by using these daily reminders:

 Stay home if you are sick:

  • Avoid close contact
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
  • Disinfect surface and objects using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but the safety of our patients and staff are our highest priority. We suggest considering using Facetime, Skype, email and phone calls in lieu of visitation.

 

If you have questions about COVID-19 please visit

or 

 

March 13, 2020 Update

Cozad Community Health System implements mandatory screening for all visitors and visitor restrictions

Revised: 03/13/2020

To protect the health and well-being of our patients, their families, and of the COVID19communities we serve, Cozad Community Health System (CCHS) is now restricting visitors. In accordance with this, we are following the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) COVID-19 recommendations and are acting with an abundance of caution to ensure we do not elevate the risk of exposure to the virus for our colleagues, physicians, patients or community members.

Effective immediately, CCHS is instituting the following visitor restrictions:

For the immediate future, only visits from immediate family members, loved ones or clergy who meet the following criteria will be permitted.
 

 

 

 

*COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Announcement*

 
As of last week, there have been confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nebraska. In response, Cozad Community Health System is prepared to handle any suspected or confirmed cases, but is asking for the communities help in preventing the spread.
 
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in some affected areas. Symptoms of Covid-19 can appear 2-14 days after an individual is exposed and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. These symptoms can range from mild to severe with the majority of confirmed cases (greater than 80%) only developing mild symptoms. Coronavirus, (COVID-19) is a mutated strain of a common viral respiratory disease which presents very similar symptoms to influenza.
 
If community members suspect that they may be sick, CCHS asks that patients first call the Cozad Community Medical Clinic at 308-784-3535 before coming in. Patients who have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek care immediately. Older patients and individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their physician early in the course of even a mild illness.
 
Preparedness and actively performing good health habits can and will help us all prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. CCHS is prepared for COVID-19, but we ask for everyone’s help with its containment.
 
CCHS is also partnering with Two Rivers Health Department to track COVID-19 and ask if you have traveled or feel you have been exposed, please self-report to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at http://cip-dhhs.ne.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=JKHEPR4DPR or Two Rivers Public Health Department at 888-669-7154.