The following steps are required in preparation for your procedure to keep you and your care team safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pre-surgical COVID-19 Testing
All patients must undergo COVID-19 testing 72 hours prior to your procedure. You can be tested at the drive-up testing site located at Emerson Hospital's main campus in Concord or at Emerson Urgent Care in Littleton . Someone will call you to schedule this test and provide further instructions.
After testing, patients must :
Self-quarantine at home prior to coming into the hospital for your procedure to reduce your chance of exposure. This includes limiting your exposure to anyone outside of your household. Plan ahead — prior to your test, be sure you have all essential items so you do not have to leave your home during quarantine.If you develop any symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your surgeon’s office. They will determine the appropriate next steps for you.
What to Expect the Day of Surgery
Emerson’s Clough Surgical Center has a separate, dedicated entrance that is only accessible for patients undergoing surgery. All other patients and staff enter through the main entrance or the emergency department.Upon arrival, you will be given a mask to wear and instructed on how to proceed to the surgical preoperative area to check in.
Our waiting rooms are set up with social distancing in mind. However, surgical patients are brought directly into the preoperative area upon check in.
Your care, before and after surgery, will NOT be in a patient care area with COVID-19 positive patients. These patients are cared for in separate areas from all other patients.
All visitors are restricted from the hospital with the exception of patients coming for labor and delivery, pediatrics, those with altered mental status and end-of-life care. With these exceptions, no other visitors are allowed in the surgery center. Please make arrangements for a support person to drop you off and pick you at the Clough Surgical Center entrance. Read our current visitor policy.
Watch the video below to hear staff explain the surgical experience at Emerson.
VIDEO
Additional Information Regarding Your Safety
Our staff have the proper personal protective equipment and follow strict guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Emerson has a dedicated team of professional health care environmental service associates specifically dedicated to cleaning health care environments. They use the most advanced chemicals and materials to ensure our clinical and public spaces are cleaned professionally.
Emerson has a fully-staffed Infection Control Department, including an infectious disease physician and nurse, to ensure we implement best practices.
Staff are screened for symptoms daily and required to stay home if they are sick. Staff with symptoms are unable to return to work until they recover and have two negative COVID-19 tests.
Thank you for being a valued patient. If you have any questions, please call your physician.
