ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. – It’s been three long years since COVID lockdowns and pandemic restrictions, but as we continue to return to normal, hospitals in our state are also beginning to resume some pre-pandemic operations.
The biggest update you might notice is that mask requirements have been removed at all primary hospitals. So when you go through a checkup or stop over at an enjoyable one, feel more like you did in 2019.
“We estimated that the rates would be low enough to prevent mask-wearing until mid-April, and we all came here together as a state, and we met with the medical advisory team to move forward together,” said Dr. Brown. Denise Gonzales, Medical Director of Presthroughterian Health Care Services.
But mask the only change.
“We had things like drive-thru for testing, which disappeared. We imposed tests before the surgery, it was finished. We required COVID testing before being admitted to the hospital and limited hospital visits, all of which came to an end. end,” Gonzales said.
Even with all those changes, some facets of the pandemic will persist.
“If you are a patient with respiratory symptoms, you can expect that you will still have to wear a mask, be isolated and tested for COVID, and the staff who care for you and interact with you will also wear a mask,” said Lead Medical Officer Dr. Vesta Sandoval.
During the pandemic, everyone has learned many vital classes and Drs. Gonzales and Sandoval say it is vital not for them.
“Now that we’ve had that time and we have those tools, we can definitely look at what we want to be able to deal with COVID, and communicate it to other people and help them understand that this is all we’re going to do. “It’s going to change, there’s going to be ups and downs, but we’re prepared for it,” Dr. Sandoval said.
Presbyterian and Lovelace officials also discussed staffing grades at hospitals. They say that although they rely less on nurses than last year, they are still not complete.
The full verbal exchange will air in its entirety this weekend Eye on New Mexico on Saturday at five p. m. and Sunday at 10 a. m.
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