COVID-19 Operations Update as of March 16, 2020
From: Community Board of Directors, Bay Community Health
In order to better serve the community and remain open to provide care to the best of our ability during the COVID-19 state of emergency, Bay Community Health (BCH) is modifying its practices to:
- Comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new pandemic operational guidelines;
- Ensure continuity of operations and medical and behavioral health services; and
- Protect the safety and health of BCH patients and staff.
West River Location Remains Open
The West River location will remain open as it allows for compliance with the CDC and MD Department of Health pandemic guidelines for social distancing measures and reduces the chance of community spread of COVID-19. Therefore, effective March 16, 2020, BCH will temporarily cease operations at our Shady Side location. All services will be scheduled at our West River location that is equipped to provide better isolation of patients from possible community transmission.
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, BCH will offer modified onsite patient care in our West River location between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Upon arrival, all visitors will be pre-screened in the West River parking lot prior to being allowed access to the building. Other appointments will be offered as a TeleHealth visit. Our phone lines will remain open from 7:30am to 5pm on Monday and Tuesday, 7:30am to 6pm Wednesday and Thursday, and 7:30am to 4pm on Friday. Outside of these hours, your phone call will be routed to an on-call provider as needed.
TeleVisits
BCH is expanding telehealth services for all BCH patients, per the MD Department of Health recommendation. A TeleVisit allows a patient to speak with their provider remotely. Telehealth visits will be scheduled in the same manner as an in-person office appointment and will require a connection to the patient’s BCH patient portal account and access to a camera via a computer or phone. Patients are encouraged to register for our patient portal and download the HEALOW app from Google Play or the Apple Store. Patients who need assistance establishing their patient portal account should contact our office by phone. Watch this video to learn more about TeleVisit from the Patient perspective.
Quest Lab
The Quest lab will not be accepting walk-in. Patients should visit the Quest Patient Service Centers. To find the nearest location and schedule an appointment, visit this link.
Staying Informed
As with any public health issue, BCH will work with and follow all guidance and protocols issued by the CDC, MD Department of Health and Anne Arundel County Health Departments regarding COVID-19. For the latest news and guidance on the virus, please visit this link.
Thank you for supporting BCH’s new protocols. We will continue to review and monitor updates from the CDC and local and global outlets and adjust our processes and website information as needed.
