Covid-19 Communication to Our Patients and Community

Valley Medical and Wellness patients,

You have likely heard information in the news about the coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19. Valley Medical and Wellness (VMW) has already been working diligently on developing strategies to address supply issues, clinical operations patient flow, and overall support to our patients and staff.

We are closely monitoring the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to keep a pulse on information about the virus and its potential impact on our community. The information we have right now is that COVID-19 presents a low immediate health risk for the Minneapolis metropolitan area.  

VMW has implemented triage procedures through scheduling and the registration process to help minimize the chance of exposure by working to identify patients before arrival (e.g., asking screening questions for patients calling for appointments) and as early as possible upon arrival (e.g., place signs for patients advising them to put on a mask if they have respiratory symptoms).

We have designated areas at each clinic to keep healthy patients and companions separate from sick patients. 

As an additional precaution we have implemented new disinfecting procedures on communal surfaces at all our locations, (e.g., door handles, common surfaces).   Our cleaning vendor is taking additional steps in disinfecting common areas on a daily basis at all clinics. 

To stay healthy, MDH is recommending common sense precautions such as:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If this is not possible, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
• Stay home if you are sick, and for at least 24 hours after you are fever free.  
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

VMW has frequent communication with our clinical partners, Fairview Physician Associates Network (FPA) as another means to collaborate across our network. 

We are currently monitoring the spread of the virus and tracking its travel through MDH and CDC. We will notify our patients if there is a concern that requires us to follow a specific protocol or to put any kind of response plan in place.

You can learn more information about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website.  MDH has set up a hotline at 651-201-5414 to answer general questions or concerns.

Here is additional information from the CDC website.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

Our priority is to always provide a safe and healthy clinical environment for all our patients and staff.  

Sincerely,

Katie Kreidler

Director of Operations