To Our Patients and Community Members:

I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the Chief Executive Officer at our community hospital. I would like to thank the Delta County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) board of trustees for their unwavering dedication to the success of DCMH. It is apparent that they are committed to our mission and strive to make the medical center a quality, compassionate, caring environment for our patients. Just in my first weeks of employment, I have witnessed extreme dedication and commitment to DCMH which is embodied in physicians, leadership, staff and volunteers. I also want to thank the communities we serve for their commitment to the DCMH brand and share with you what DCMH is doing, planning, and thinking, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting hundreds of thousands of people including our own neighbors and families. As you well know, this virus didn’t come with a script or playbook but we are busy spending time closely monitoring and following the fluid and constantly evolving CDC guidelines. We have found that collaboration and communication with federal, state, and local government and public health officials now is far more important than it was just two months ago.

Like me, you may be asking two questions several times a day: “How bad will this get?” and “How long will it likely last?” If you asked me early last week, I would have told you the surge would be hitting today and we could be “over run” by next week at this time. If you asked me early this week, I would have told you that a surge and peak would be coming next week at the same time and we could manage this. Today, the modeling tells a different, more positive story. In the end, models aren’t perfect and they are only as good as the assumptions and data put into them (for a virus that we have never seen before).

I know this event has impacted each of us at home and at work. As you manage through the next few weeks and months ahead, please know that DCMH will endlessly prepare and be ready for our community needs now and in the future—we are a resource for you.

Thank you for your commitment to our communities and our hospital! We will emerge from this challenge – together – with an even greater appreciation of our strength and connectedness as a community.

With Admiration,


Matt Heyn, MHA
Chief Executive Officer
Delta County Memorial Hospital
WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK I'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 OR HAVE SYMPTOMS?
DCMH testing criteria has changed to address high risk individuals for COVID-19.
The criteria is as follows:

  • Symptomatic hospitalized patients.
  • Health care providers or essential personnel such as law enforcement, EMS staff with need for patient contact.
  • Immunocompromised status (organ, transplant, HIV, diabetes, chemotherapy/active cancer, immune suppressing medications for rheumatologic disease), emphysema or cystic fibrosis.
  • Other high risk situations taken case-by-case. 

If you have symptoms of a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, please CALL your Primary Care Provider (PCP) clinic for a verbal phone screening and further instructions  BEFORE  going to see your provider.
If you are experiencing severe respiratory distress and/or need immediate assistance , call 9-1-1 and let them know you are concerned you may have COVID-19.
If you present to the Emergency Department and have concerns about COVID-19, and have the symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath please remain in your car please and call 970-874-2221 and wait for further instructions.
PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
We are recommending that community members take the CDC's recommended precautionary measures:

  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
LOCAL RESOURCES
  • For answers questions and concerns, please call the Delta County Call Center: 970-874-2172 (staffed 8:00 and to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday)
  • For DCMH updates, visit our website
  • Delta County Health Department website
MORE INFORMATION
  • Colorado Department of Health and Environment website
  • Sign up for the CodeRED West Region Colorado Emergency Notification System
  • Colorado State Help Line, CO HELP, at 1-877-462-2911 or email [email protected] for answers in English and Spanish (Español)
It is Delta County Memorial Hospital's mission to be the people's first choice for accessible, high-quality health services and to enhance the well-being of those we serve.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US
970.874.7681 | deltahospital.org