Your safety

Your safety

With the safety of our patients, staff and visitors as our top priority, Allina Health announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all employees. To learn more, watch an interview with John Misa, MD, vice president and clinical officer.

Masks required

All patients, visitors and staff – regardless of vaccination status – must wear masks at all times in Allina Health facilities.







Our Safe Care Commitment logo

Our Safe Care Commitment

Our Safe Care Commitment sign

With our enhanced precautions and virtual care options, take comfort in knowing that we're ready to safely care for you whenever you need us.

Expanded virtual care icon

Expanded virtual care

Separation for COVID-19 icon

Separation for COVID-19

Patient and visitor screening icon

Patient and visitor screening

Physical distancing icon

Physical distancing

Everyone wears a mask icon

Everyone wears a mask

Highest standards of clean icon

Highest standards of clean

COVID-19 testing

Because COVID-19 has similar symptoms to flu, strep and other illnesses, the first step to testing is an evaluation at a virtual or in-person visit.

Even your most familiar routines, like going to the doctor, can seem unsettling right now. That’s why we want to reassure you about the care you’ll receive at Allina Health.

Your safety has always been our top priority. We continue to take every precaution to safeguard your health and reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • We have expanded our options for virtual care. With everything from primary care to mental health visits, you can get much of the care you need from home.
  • You should know that our hospitals set the bar for hospital cleanliness, with the Minnesota Hospital Association recommending our pre-COVID-19 cleaning standards to hospitals throughout the state.
  • Our already high standards of clean have been enhanced throughout our facilities, with deep cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and public spaces.
  • All patients and visitors are screened before entering our facilities. Anyone who may have symptoms of COVID-19 is taken to a separate area.
  • Hand sanitizer is located all building entrances to encourage hand hygiene for all staff, patients and visitors.
  • We practice physical distancing in all of our lobbies, and we have added Plexiglas shields between check in staff and patients.
  • Everyone wears a mask. Patients and visitors are encouraged to bring a mask, or they receive cloth masks. Staff who have direct contact with patients wear a mask and a face shield.

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING] Hello. I'm Melissa Showers, clinic manager with Allina Health. We've been receiving a lot of questions about our facilities. To help folks feel more comfortable, I'm excited to share some details about our safe care commitment and the changes we've made to increase your safety and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Before we go inside, let's put on our masks.

Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a safe care greeter. They'll ask you some questions and be sure you don't have any COVID-19 symptoms. Any patient with COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated immediately and cared for in a separate area.

Because patient safety and well-being are Allina Health's top priorities, all employees will be wearing masks. For your safety and the safety of our staff and other patients, we ask that you wear a mask for your entire visit. We will provide you with a mask if you do not have one.

We have hand sanitizer at all of our entrances. And our staff are using the proper PPE. Clinic staff will be wearing masks or respirators, eye protection, such as face shields or glasses, and other personal protective equipment. The specific equipment they wear is dependent on the role and the location.

Allina's already high standards of cleanliness have been enhanced for your safety. High-touch surfaces in public areas are deep cleaned and disinfected regularly.

You can see that many changes have been made to our welcome area to practice physical distancing. Floor markers will remind you to stay at least six feet apart while waiting for check-in. Plexiglas shields or extended spacing have been added between you and the check-in staff. Seating has been rearranged so you will not be in close contact with other patients. You may also have the option to wait in your car.

We have removed magazines, books, and toys from our welcome area and exam rooms to keep you safe. We made changes to our scheduling to minimize patient wait time and decrease patient delays and overlap.

Let me take you back to our exam room area. Our already high standards of clean have been enhanced for your safety. Rooms and instruments are thoroughly cleaned between patients, following our cleaning procedures and protocols.

As usual, when we enter a room, everyone does proper hand hygiene. Your care team will be wearing masks and other protective equipment, such as face shields, gowns, and gloves. They may communicate with you using your personal electronic device before entering the room.

If you need an interpreter, this service will be offered electronically instead of in-person. Please talk with your nurse or doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Your health and safety are the top priorities of your health care team today and every day. Whether you choose to see us in person or virtually, we are here to care for you.

How to spot the symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms are:

Fever icon

Fever

Cough icon

Cough

Shortness of breath icon

Shortness of breath

However, these aren’t the only symptoms of COVID-19. Some people experience other symptoms:

  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • muscle or body aches
  • headache
  • new loss of taste or smell
  • sore throat
  • congestion or runny nose
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhea

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, including but not limited to the following, please call 911:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or seeming “out of it”
  • Bluish lips or face

What to do if you may have coronavirus

  • Please isolate yourself at home.
  • If you believe you may have coronavirus, learn more about your care options.
  • Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched frequently. Use regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow instructions on the package.

How does COVID-19 spread?

icon social distancing

The coronavirus spreads from person-to-person. When people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), the virus can spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

The droplets can enter the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and then enter the lungs when they’re inhaled. Recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may even be spread by people who don’t show any symptoms.

COVID-19 information in other languages

Source: MN Department of Health