Valley View Suspends Elective Procedures and Care, Leads Other Measures as Part of COVID-19 Response

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO – Valley View has suspended any elective procedure and patient care to best protect Hospital resources during the COVID-19 response. This includes Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, specialty centers, physician practices and ancillary services, such as rehabilitation.

This decision follows the recommendation from both the United States Surgeon General and the American College of Surgeons. It also acknowledges the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment regarding the community spread of COVID-19.

“It is an absolute priority to protect the healthcare resources in our community to best prepare to care for the sick. We appreciate the significance of this decision; it was not made lightly,” said Brian Murphy, MD, CEO of Valley View.

Valley View physicians have begun contacting patients who were scheduled for elective procedures or patient care. “We acknowledge that the medical needs of each patient vary. I am grateful for the patience and understanding of our patients as we make this change; indeed, it was made with their health and safety in mind,” Dr. Murphy added.

New additional measures to protect Valley View staff and patients include:

• A revised visitor policy. No visitors are permitted in any Valley View location unless visiting a patient. Limit of one visitor per patient at a time.
• Work to temporarily close the Youth Recovery Center, an inpatient 42-day, substance abuse and mental health treatment program for teens.
• Temporary closure of the Connie Delaney Medical Library and Calaway Young Cancer Resource Library. Resources are still available online at www.vvh.org/delaney-library.

About Valley View

Valley View is an independent, not-for-profit health system based in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1955 with funds raised by the community, Valley View Hospital has evolved into a 78-bed multi-disciplinary facility providing a broad spectrum of health services with an integrated network of specialty centers and physician practices, including comprehensive cancer care, an interventional cardiology center and neurosurgical and orthopedic care. Valley View HealthCare is also located in Eagle, Silt and Willits. Local events and outreach efforts include community health fairs, blood drives, a physician-led education series, a kids and teen safety fair, and Rally the Valley, the signature event of the Valley View Foundation. Valley View is designated as a Planetree facility, representing the highest level of achievement in person-centered care. Valley View has been recognized for performance excellence from Healthgrades, J.D. Power & Associates, Truven Health “Top 100 Hospitals”, Survey Vitals and Consumer Reports. PeopleCare. That’s Valley View. www.vvh.org.