Onaga Cafeteria and Community Home Care Equipment to allow visitors starting

Although the Community HealthCare System Onaga Community Hospital has been open to selected visitors and support persons for patients since June 1, the Cafeteria and Community Home Care Equipment store have remained closed. That will change on Monday, August 3.

On August 3, both the Cafeteria and Community Home Care Equipment store will allow visitors and patients who have been screened at the hospital main entrance and who are following the mask policy.

Cafeteria

CHCS recognizes that visitors who are waiting for family members having surgery or supporting patients during hospital stays need to access the cafeteria. Nurses have been able to request meals for visitors during COVID-19-related closures, but it will be more convenient for visitors to be able to visit on their own to get what they need. Those who are not supporting patients will need to use curbside service as previously arranged. The Cafeteria cannot accommodate large groups because we must maintain social distancing. The Cafeteria continues to offer free coffee and tea, breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

Community Home Care Equipment

Community Home Care Equipment, or CHCE, serves patients with a range of medical equipment and supply needs. The store was formerly known as DME. During the closure, CHCE offered phone orders and curbside delivery service. These services will continue, but those who prefer to visit in person will be able to do so. To order over the phone, call 785-889-5018. To visit in person, enter through the main hospital entrance for screening, then proceed through the waiting area and follow signs marked DME.

Roz Lewis, director of ancillary services, said she is happy to allow visitors to enter these areas of the hospital again.

“We want patients and their support persons to be comfortable while they are visiting our hospital, and having access to the cafeteria is important. Our CHCE staff misses meeting patients in person to help them find what they need to make life easier, and we’re happy to restore in-person service in addition to phone orders and curbside pickup,” Lewis said.

Lewis noted that many precautions are in effect to keep patients and visitors as safe as possible. Everyone who enters the hospital or other CHCS facility – including associates, patients, and all visitors – is screened and required to wear a mask. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the hospital, and waiting areas are designed to accommodate social distancing. Extra cleaning is also being done throughout each day.

“We take COVID-19 prevention and safety very seriously, and we thank our patients and visitors for following all guidelines and instructions from screeners and staff,” Lewis said.