JENCC’s Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

UPDATED april 5, 2022

The June E. Nylen Cancer Center physicians and staff care about our patients and are closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are committed to taking precautions to provide the safest environment possible for everyone. Cancer patients do have weakened and compromised immune systems and therefore are more susceptible to illnesses, including COVID-19.

The information here is meant to keep you up-to-date about what our facility and team is doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses as well as to protect our patients and staff in order that they can continue to provide their specialized care for Siouxland.

Masks

Although CDC mask guidelines have changed based on community risk level, we continue to require masks for all patients, visitors, and team members. Masks are an important part of creating a safe environment for everyone.

CURRENT VISITOR POLICY:

1 visitor is allowed anytime a patient is meeting with a provider or while having imaging/scans taken.

Visitors are not allowed in our treatment areas at this time.

Visitors must be over the age of 18. We prefer but not mandate that the visitor is vaccinated, and we also are requesting it be the same visitor consistently to the patient’s future appointments.

Please note in all cases a visitor will only be allowed if they do not have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath), have not recently been exposed to someone with COVID, or recently tested for COVID. Visitors will be screened at the door and must bring/wear their own mask (we will supply if don’t have one).

We realize how important having a support member is and apologize that we are not opening to all visitors at this time. While we recognize the need for support, we also have to balance risk. If we allowed 1 visitor for all patients, this would mean more than a hundred extra people in our facility per day. It is still necessary that we safeguard our patients as much as possible due to their compromised immune systems.

CHILDREN:

Children under the age of 18 are not allowed inside the June E. Nylen Cancer Center at all. Please plan for this in advance of your appointment.

SCREENING UPON ENTERING OUR FACILITY:

To protect our patients and staff, we will not allow anyone with symptoms in our facility. We are asking screening questions to anyone entering our facility. Masks must be worn by anyone in our facility which we will provide if you do not have one.

CALL FIRST:

If patients or visitors have been exposed to someone with COVID, have tested for COVID, or are experiencing cold-like symptoms (headache, body aches, runny nose, cough, sore throat, etc.) please call ahead to us at (712) 252-0088 before coming. Our phone nurse will talk with you to determine what next steps would be.

TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS:

For your safety and convenience, our expert team can see patients through scheduled virtual appointments on a secure platform. Virtual appointments are available for routine office visits but cannot be used for treatment.

If you are interested in utilizing a virtual appointment for your upcoming visit, let a member of your care team know by calling (712) 252-0088. Our staff will send you instructions on how to download the application to your smartphone, tablet or computer and information on next steps for your virtual visit.

TESTING AND PHYSICIAN NOTES:

As a non-primary care facility, we are not a testing facility. Please contact your primary care physician for testing and for physician notes related to COVID-19.

VOLUNTEERS:

Our volunteer services are not operational at this time.

SUPPORT GROUPS, SCreenings and Events:

Our monthly Look Good Feel Better program, as well as all support groups and any screenings and events are postponed at this time. We will assess rescheduling when our visitor restrictions are lifted.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Our social worker has pulled together some additional information and resources that may be helpful at this time when everyone is experiencing change, anxiety and an entire host of feelings.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY COVID-19 RESOURCES:

ACS has added information to their site around COVID-19 and mitigating the risk.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT RESOURCES:

We know the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing recommendations have created challenges for many individuals, families and businesses. Here are a few community links. If you are a JENCC patient, you may also contact our social worker, Chris, at (712) 252-9321 or StrandC@jencc.com for specific questions and more possible community support resources.

GeneralChristie Finnegan