In the very near future Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) will resume elective surgical procedures as part of a closely watched return to business plan aligned with the Governor’s “Back to Normal Plan” announced today.
PLHS’s staff members are trained to keep all patients safe and prevent the spread of all infectious diseases, including the corona virus. Patients can feel secure in returning to Prairie Lakes and receiving safe care.
Proactive measures implemented in response to COVID-19 will stay in place as a deliberate effort to carefully return to business; including the continued enforcement of PLHS’s No Visitor Policy and screening of temperatures and other symptoms at the entrances. These measures are kept in place as the South Dakota Department of Health continues to monitor trends of positive cases in the state and its counties.
“Intentional planning with the Department of Health and clinics in our service area will continue to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) while resuming important healthcare services and procedures many have delayed for over a month,” said K.C. DeBoer, President and CEO. “The Board of Directors, physicians, staff, and I appreciate our community’s actions in following guidelines to help Prairie Lakes prepare for a surge as predicted by our Department of Health. Our community’s dedication is why we have not seen a peak in the Watertown area, and we now feel prepared and able to begin selected procedures to serve those who delayed care during this time.”
Patients who delayed their procedure will be contacted by their physician’s team with schedule details. Watertown area physicians are taking proactive steps to protect the most vulnerable community members; at the same time, you should not down play any significant changes in your health condition. Always reach out to your physician if your condition changes. Now is a good time to have those conversations with your care team. Telehealth services and in-person appointments are still available at all of the clinics in Watertown.
“We welcome the opportunity to return, not to normal but to a new normal as we make a positive difference in the health of our patients and the communities we serve,” DeBoer said.