Latest Barton Health efforts to prevent spread of COVID-19 in South Lake Tahoe community

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health continues its work with city, county, and state health agencies to provide screening and appropriate care for coronavirus COVID-19. The health and safety of patients and care providers is Barton’s top priority, and community spread of COVID-19 a serious concern.

Barton strongly recommends the community to stay home and only go out in the community for essential services and needs, and recommends individuals 65 and older, as well as those who have chronic conditions self-isolate unless absolutely necessary to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and keep healthcare resources strong.

Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of contagious diseases by creating physical space between people. This can include many different strategies, but importantly keeping a six-foot space between individuals, canceling or postponing non-essential events, and moving all meetings and gatherings to a virtual alternative to avoid public exposure.

Barton’s COVID-19 Health Line, 530.600.1999, continues to screen individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. If callers meet the screening criteria they can be referred to Barton’s referral-only respiratory screening center. Patients seeking care or testing must be pre-screened and registered through the COVID-19 Health Line.

Medical services at Barton Memorial Hospital and outpatient clinical offices are available; however, operational changes to protect healthcare workers and patients from potential exposure are in effect.

These changes include:

- Elective surgeries and procedures will be rescheduled until further notice.
- All emergent surgeries will be performed at Barton Memorial Hospital; Lake Tahoe Surgery Center in Zephyr Cove is closed until further notice.
- Infusion, Rehabilitation, and GI services are limited to essential appointments only.
- Public access for general medical services to the hospital through the Front Lobby Monday - Saturday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. and limited access through the Emergency Department to Sundays only.
- Barton’s 24/7 Emergency Department is accessible at the rear of the hospital for emergent medical services.
- Visitation to Barton’s Skilled Nursing Facility, Inpatient Unit, and Family Birthing Center has been restricted to protect vulnerable patients.
- All visitors and patients are screened before entering any medical facility.
- Patients seeking care for anything other than respiratory illnesses at Barton Urgent Care should call before arriving: 775.589.8901. Those with appointments will be met outside the entrance and be escorted in. Online appointments have been suspended.
- All orthopedic appointments and services, including Orthopedic Walk-in Care, are taking place at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness in South Lake Tahoe and at Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Carson City.
- Osteoporosis and bone health services with Dr. Cottrell will be postponed until further notice.
- The Barton Customer Service office has closed until further notice. Patients can go to bartonhealth.org/billpay or call 530.543.5930 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Outpatient lab work has been moved offsite to the 4th Street Express Lab, and hours have been extended to Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m - 3 p.m.
- Non-essential public events, programs and classes have been suspended.
- Barton’s volunteers have been released from their service at all locations until further notice.

The latest local, state and federal updates on COVID-19 and recommended health and safety guidelines are available on Barton’s homepage at https://www.bartonhealth.org/tahoe/coronavirus-update.aspx.