Coronavirus Overview

How the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center keeps you safe

When you come to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for your appointment, you can feel confident that our facilities are clean and safe. We've taken significant measures to minimize the risk of the spread of COVID-19 and worked tirelessly to ensure that our patients are protected through the restriction of visitors, screening at building entrances for fever and other symptoms, isolation of COVID-19 patients, requiring all persons to wear masks and many other safety measures.

Patient Safety COVID-19 FAQ

Enhanced Safety Measures During COVID-19

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Masks required

Everyone must wear a surgical mask.

We will provide you with a surgical mask upon your arrival.

Visitor restrictions and medical screenings when entering facilities for COVID-19 safety

Health screenings

When you arrive at your appointment, you'll have your temperature checked and asked questions about COVID-19 symptoms, potential exposure and travel.

 
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Visitor precautions

We're limiting or restricting who can enter our facilities. View our current visitor precautions.

COVID-19 testing for patients undergoing certain procedures and all admitted patients enhanced safety

COVID-19 testing for surgeries and procedures

Admitted patients — and many in outpatient settings — will be tested for COVID-19.

Social distancing in waiting areas COVID-19 safety

Social distancing in waiting areas

Appointments staggered to allow for social distancing.

Sitting/waiting spaces more spread-out.

Enhanced patient safety and increased cleaning for COVID-19

Additional cleaning and disinfecting

Frequent cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectant.

Ohio State Telehealth Care and Video Visits for COVID-19 safety

Telehealth care

Ohio State has expanded telehealth care options for many appointments.

Ways we're keeping patients safe at Ohio State: 

  • Everyone must wear a mask, including staff, patients and visitors
  • COVID-19 testing for patients having a surgery or procedure involving the mouth, nose, throat, airways, lungs or internal organs
  • Screening at building entrances for fever and other symptoms
  • Visitor restrictions
  • Use of personal protective equipment such as masks and goggles
  • Social distancing throughout buildings
  • Direct entry from check-in to exam rooms where possible
  • Increased availability of telehealth appointments and telehealth immediate care
  • Frequent hand washing
  • Daily health screening, including temperature monitoring, of doctors, nurses and staff
  • More frequent deep disinfecting and cleaning of all areas
  • Isolation of COVID-19 patients from the rest of our patient population
  • Regular review of operational and clinical processes by our team of infectious disease specalists
  • Reduced person-to-person contact wherever possible

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