To The Reader’s Forum:

On behalf of everyone at UPMC Chautauqua, we thank you for your kindness to our employees. The amount of support shown to our facility by members of this community means the world to us! You are the reason we chose careers in health care, and your thanks and concern give us strength and energize us during difficult times.

Please know that at UPMC Chautauqua, we are doing everything in our power to keep you safe. While remaining focused on your health, we are also preparing for the future.

Some of the actions we’ve taken include:

¯ Video Visits for online access to high-quality care. To serve patients while minimizing contact and promoting safety, our providers — primary care providers and specialists — are available for virtual care visits. To talk to a provider from your home through telemedicine, visit UPMC.com/coronavirus/video-visits.

¯ New screening and mask policy at UPMC hospitals and cancer centers. Everyone will be screened before entering. Screening measures include questions to determine risk for carrying COVID-19 and thermal testing to identify potential fevers. Those who pass will be given a mask to wear during their entire visit or shift.

¯ Restricted visitation at UPMC hospitals. Please visit UPMC.com/coronavirus/visitor-restrictions for complete guidelines.

¯ Opened our COVID-19 testing collection site at Jones Health. With a physician referral, patients are seen by appointment to have their specimen taken and then sent to a lab for testing.

Finally, we want to extend a huge thank you to our staff who are working tirelessly and fearlessly 24/7 during this pandemic to keep our patients safe. Because of their hard work and commitment, we can stay on top of the constant changes and continue to serve you with the expert care you expect.

Brian Durniok

President, UPMC Chautauqua