Safe Care During COVID-19

Keeping patients safe during COVID-19

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care even in the face of COVID-19. We have steadfastly continued to provide life-saving care throughout the onset of coronavirus and are determined to meet the health care needs of the communities we serve into the future.

We understand that safety is foremost in our patients’ minds. The safety of our patients and staff is always our top priority at Karmanos. We want to assure patients seeking care at a Karmanos facility that they are being treated in a safe environment by personnel who are adhering to the most current safety precautions. Karmanos also has temporary visitor restrictions in place - learn more here.

Karmanos Cancer Institute safe care during COVID

Karmanos' Commitment to Safe Care

As we begin resuming time-sensitive care, we also understand that safety is the primary focus in everyone’s mind. Out of an abundance of caution, we have instituted a number of additional safety measures, including:

Education

While our understanding of how the virus presents is evolving as we learn more, the most common signs of coronavirus are a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The latest list of symptoms is available from the CDC. It is the current consensus of the medical community that the most common way COVID-19 is transmitted is by touching your face with a one of your hands after it has come in contact with the virus. This is why proper hand hygiene is being reinforced time and time again.
Separating patients with symptoms

Karmanos has established a dedicated unit where we are caring for COVID-19 positive and suspected positive patients. Those patients are only cared for on that unit, maintaining a safe separation from patients in need of other care. Additionally, we are immediately isolating patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Additional cleaning and disinfecting

Karmanos has added cleaning processes throughout our facilities to enhance our already robust sanitation protocols.
Symptom screenings at entrances

Karmanos is screening all patients, visitors, and our own staff for signs and symptoms of coronavirus before entering our facilities. Anyone experiencing symptoms is prohibited from entering and directed to the appropriate level of care.
Personal protective equipment

For the protection of our patients and our health care team, all Karmanos team members are required to wear a mask and eye protection (goggles or a face shield). We are also providing protective masks to patients and visitors as an enhanced safety precaution.
Temporary visitor restrictions to protect patients and staff

Karmanos facilities are limiting seating in certain areas of their facilities to create space between those waiting for care to support social distancing.

Virtual Care Now Available!

Patients who are currently fighting cancer, as well as those recently diagnosed, do not need to choose between getting the care they need and staying safe.

We understand some patients may still not feel fully comfortable going to in-person clinic visits. That's why, for your convenience and increased social distancing, we are now offering virtual visits for:

Newly-diagnosed patients
Returning patients
Active surveillance
Clinical Trials

Please call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) to learn more about virtual visits.

Keeping yourself safe

Hand hygiene remains the single most important factor in stopping the spread of coronavirus. All Karmanos facilities are equipped with an abundance of hand sanitizer stations that can be used by our staff, patients, and visitors. Washing your hands vigorously with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds is still the safest way to clean your hands.
While our caregivers and support staff are trained to practice exceptional hand hygiene, we also empower our patients to ask our staff to sanitize their hands before caring for them as another layer of safety.
With some planning ahead, social distancing can still be practiced when seeking medical care at a Karmanos facility.

If a patient is having an outpatient test or procedure requiring a ride home, asking the family member to wait nearby instead of entering the hospital minimizes the number of people in the hospital.
Patients who require an overnight stay in an acute care facility are encouraged to bring a mobile device capable of video conferencing and charger. Video conferences can be an effective way to stay socially connected to your support network and keeping loved ones included in the care plan.