Donate to our COVID-19 Assistance Fund

Your donation will be put to immediate use to help the WHS team respond to the COVID-19 situation. WHS has needed donor support in the past and will going forward as we address, manage and improve the safety of our communities.

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There are a number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the United States, including ones in Western Pennsylvania.  The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus which has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and presents as a respiratory illness which spreads mainly from person-to-person. Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions — like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example — seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.

Washington Health System understands that you and your family may be anxious about the news of Coronavirus-COVID-19. We want to assure you that WHS Washington Hospital, WHS-Greene Hospital and all outpatient locations have rigorous infection-prevention protocols in place. We are closely monitoring our internal resources and information from federal, state and local agencies around the clock. The safety of our patients, staff, students, and the general public remains our top priority.

Please note: to keep our patients and staff safe, we are restricting all visitation at WHS Washington Hospital and WHS-Greene . Some exceptions apply. See the FAQ below for details. 

Questions & Answers

Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

The best prevention you can take includes washing your hands frequently or using hand sanitizer, coughing into your elbow or a tissue and not your hands, and staying home if you’re sick. When possible, avoid large crowds and persons displaying symptoms of an illness.

We ask that you do not call our hospitals or physician offices with general questions regarding COVID-19. Instead we suggest that you obtain the most up to date information by visiting www.CDC.gov or www.health.pa.gov.

If you feel like you are developing COVID-19 symptoms and the symptoms are light to moderate, Washington Health System does not recommend that you immediately come to the Emergency Room. To reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others, we encourage you to utilize the WHS Virtual Care platform where a doctor can quickly evaluate you via smart phone, tablet or computer.  Washington Health System is dedicated to protecting the health of all of our community members by reducing the risk of exposure whenever possible. To utilize our WHS Virtual Care platform visit whs.org/virtualcare. If you prefer to see your primary care provider, please call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms. They will decide whether you need to be seen in the office or tested, but keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill are able to isolate at home.

Should your symptoms worsen, please call 911 or seek medical attention at the closest emergency room. Emergency symptoms include:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face
When possible, notify the hospital ahead of time or before you enter the building in order to help reduce exposure to other patients and staff. Know when to get emergency help, and call 911 if needed.

If you do not have a primary care physician (PCP) please call the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) at 877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).  Please do not go to the emergency room, unless it is an emergency. WHS also offers convenient access to high-quality care through our telemedicine service. www.whsvirtualcare.com is a mobile app that offers 24/7 virtual visits through a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Testing for Coronavirus-COVID-19 must be ordered by a licensed medical provider. Currently, testing cannot be performed at the request of the public without an order. Starting Wednesday, March 18th, WHS will offer two testing locations:
  • Washington County location – WRCWC Building #3, Suite 86. Monday – Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 8am-12pm
  • Greene County location – WHS Medical Arts building Suite 100 next to hospital.  Monday – Friday 8am-4pm (NO Saturday hours)
Testing will only be done if you can provide a script from a medical professional. Please bring a government issued photo ID (such as a Driver’s Licence) and your insurance information. Only COVID-19 testing is done at these sites – other lab work is unable to be collected.

Your lab test results are available ONLY through your ordering physician. Please wait at least three days after having your test to contact your doctor about your results. Keep in mind that if your lab test comes back positive, your doctor will call you immediately. The WHS lab cannot release lab test results to patients. If you have questions concerning the test or your results, please contact your ordering physician directly.

WASHINGTON HEALTH SYSTEM UPDATED VISITOR GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020. WHS Washington Hospital and WHS Greene Hospital will be CLOSED to ALL VISITORS in an effort to further protect our patients, staff members and the community from the spread of COVID-19 Virus.  UPDATED VISITING GUIDELINES:  WHS Washington Hospital and WHS-Greene Patient Care Units will be closed to all visitors.  ONE healthy adult visitor will be permitted in the following situations:
  • Patients under the age of 18
  • Patients with a significant cognitive or physical disability or other impairment
  • CARE Center for Family Birth and Women’s Health Unit (Labor and Delivery plus Post-partum Recovery only) – One healthy adult permitted. Individual should be prepared to remain in the patient room for the duration of the visit.
  • Emergency Department – One person may accompany patient to the registration area and then must exit the building until they are called to assist the patient home. Minor patients or those with a significant cognitive or physical disability or impairment in the ED will be allowed one healthy adult visitor.
  • Surgical Services or Invasive Procedural Units – One healthy adult will be permitted to stay during procedure and visit immediately afterward in the patient room if the patient is admitted.
Special considerations may be granted for end of life care. Visitors meeting the categories above will enter through the Emergency Department or Main Entrance at either hospital. Visitors will be screened by hospital staff where a temperature will be obtained and a series of questions will be asked. Any visitor not meeting the screening criteria will be denied access. We understand that when a loved one is hospitalized that it is difficult to be separated. However, these steps are being taken to protect the health of everyone involved. We encourage family members and patient to keep in touch using your telephone or social media during this public health crisis. Due to the rapidly changing situation of the COVID-19 crisis in our community, this policy will be revised accordingly in response to circumstances. Washington Health System staff members reserve the right to further deny or limit visitation in the interest of patient safety.

The following services will be closed through the end of March 2020.
  • WHS Children’s Therapy Services
  • WHS Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
  • WHS Cardiac Rehabilitation Services
  • WHS Pulmonary Rehab
  • Outpatient Radiology. Some outpatient studies will still be done based on clinical need – urgent and emergent testing only.  All inpatient and emergency services will remain open.
  • Outpatient Lab on the 2nd floor of WHS Washington Hospital. All other lab sites to remain open.
  • Elective surgeries and procedures at WHS Washington Hospital and Tri-State Surgery Center. Emergency and essential surgeries will continue.
  • Physician offices will be rescheduling non-urgent (annual wellness visits, physicals, etc.) visits for a later date
  • All scheduled supports groups are canceled until further notice
  • All Prenatal Classes have been postponed until further notice. Free online learning modules are being offered at this time: www2.customizedinc.com/childbirtheducation
  • WHS Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center
  • All WHS gift shops are also closed to the public until further notice
  • WHS School of Nursing has postponed classes
  • The 2020 WHS Charity Ball, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 28th,  will be postponed until further notice
This is a rapidly changing situation and Washington Health System is committed to keeping our patients, communities and team members safe and informed. In compliance with our infectious disease protocols, we will remain vigilant and continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines. We urge everyone to remain calm. Even though the public attention is focused on Coronavirus-COVID-19 please remember that our healthcare system continues to care for community members with other illnesses, injuries and births as we have done each and every day since opening our doors in 1897. Your health and the health of our community are continuously our priority.

At Washington Health System, our top priorities are the health, safety, and wellbeing of our patients, our staff, our students, and our community. In accordance with current recommendations from the CDC and DOH, we are taking every precaution to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. As such, we have postponed all prenatal classes until further notice. Those already registered for classes will be contacted directly. During this time, we are offering FREE online learning modules on childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, and newborn care including lots of videos. You can access this online education at: www2.customizedinc.com/childbirtheducation .  Once you have completed the registration process, you will receive an email invitation from noreply@yomingo.com where you can create a unique password and login. Please check your junk folder if you do not receive this email in your inbox. Additionally, you can access the same Newborn Channel programs offered at the WHS CARE Center for Family Birth and Women’s Health by going to www.thenewbornchannelnow.com/ with passcode 02915. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our community and especially our expectant families, new mothers and infants. Disclaimer: The information in YoMingo® is NOT intended to take the place of a healthcare provider or any information that your healthcare provider has discussed with you about your own personal health. It is imperative and advised that you find care and work with your healthcare provider to keep yourself healthy and safe. Always call your healthcare provider with any questions you may have. By creating an account in YoMingo, you have verified that you have read and agree to this disclaimer.

Starting today, March 19th, Washington Health Systems will Re-OPEN Outpatient Diagnostic Centers in selected locations for URGENT and EMERGENT Studies Only. This service will help you and your patients receive important testing as we continue to restrict visitation and the flow of people in our hospitals. If you are ordering a test for your patient that is urgent or emergent, please write on the script “STAT”. These urgent tests are the only tests that we will currently see in office. If your patient needs a routine exam, you can provide them with a script and instruct them to call our central scheduling at a later date. The following sites will be open for patients that are in need of an urgent or emergent test: WHS Medical Plaza – Peters Township Address: 4198 Washington Road, McMurray Current hours: 7am to 8pm, M –F Services: X-Ray, CT and MRI exams by appointment only. Walk-ins will be turned away. Urgent and emergent studies only. Routine exams will be rescheduled to a later date. WHS Outpatient Center – Neighbor Health Address: 95 Leonard Avenue, Washington Current hours: 7am to 5pm M -F Services: X-Ray exams by appointment only. Walk-ins will be turned away. Urgent and emergent studies only. Routine exams will be rescheduled to a later date. WHS Outpatient Center – Greene County Address: 343 E. Roy Furman Highway Waynesburg, Current hours: 8am to 4pm M-F Services: X-Ray exams by appointment only. Walk-ins will be turned away. Urgent and emergent studies only. Routine exams will be rescheduled to a later date. WHS Outpatient Center – Meadows Landing Address: 80 Landings Drive, Washington Current hours: 7am to 5pm M-F Services: Diagnostic mammograms only. Screening mammograms will be rescheduled. OB Ultrasounds -Urgent and emergent studies only. Routine exams will be rescheduled to a later date. ** PLEASE NOTE ** To provide additional safeguards for our patients and staff, Outpatients are permitted one healthy adult companion only if they require assistance.  If you or a patient has questions regarding a test, please call Central Scheduling (724)-250-6000

Beware of fraudulent Coronavirus tests, vaccines and treatments. COVID-19 has never been seen in humans before, which means there are currently no vaccines to prevent or drugs to treat COVID-19 approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Beware of companies trying to profit from this pandemic by selling unproven and illegally marketed products that make false claims, such as being effective against the coronavirus. These fraudulent products that claim to cure, treat, or prevent COVID-19 haven’t been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness and might be dangerous to you and your family. To learn more, please read this article on the FDA’s site.

Looking for a way to help our patients, doctors, nurses and staff now? Please donate to our COVID-19 Assistance Fund at https://3207.thankyou4caring.org/GiveNow or mail checks to: ATTN: WHS Foundation 155 Wilson Avenue Washington, PA 15301 Your donation will be put to immediate use to help the WHS team respond to the COVID-19 situation. Your monetary donation allows us to address our most pressing needs in a cost effective and efficient manner. WHS has trusted in the generous support of our donors in the past, and will continue to do so as we move forward to address, manage and improve the safety of our communities in this unprecedented pandemic. Thank you for your generosity and support. If you have questions regarding monetary donations please contact Natalie or Carolyn at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting donations of the following Personal Protective Equipment:
  • N 95 masks
  • Bunny suits (protective suits or clothing)
  • Safety goggles
  • Face shields/visors
  • Latex gloves
To schedule a drop-off or delivery please contact Manager of Materials Management, Doug Rohrer, at 724-223-3591 or drohrer@whs.org. Thank you for your generosity and support.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting donations of fabric masks from our community. According to the CDC, in settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face. When your masks are complete, please contact Shelly at the WHS Foundation at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org to arrange for delivery. (You will be met out front of the School of Nursing.) *Any surplus masks will be distributed to other organizations in need. Thank you for your generosity and support.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting care package donations for our medical staff. At this time we cannot accept any homemade items, items that require preparation, items that require refrigeration or items that require the use of silverware. We are accepting pre-packaged individually-sized snack food items. Samples of snacks in individual sized containers:
  • JIF to go
  • Cookies
  • Candy / chocolate
  • Chips, Chex Mix, pretzels, etc.
  • Peanut butter or cheese crackers
  • Peanuts and/or other nuts
  • Trail mix or granola bars
  • Protein bars
  • Fruit snacks or raisins
  • Pudding cups
  • Fruit/applesauce cups
  • Cans of Spaghettios, Beefaroni, soup (pop top only)
  • Tuna/chicken boxes with crackers (no cans)
  • Beef Jerky / Slim Jim’s
To schedule delivery of your donation, please contact Ken at the WHS Foundation at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org to arrange for delivery. (Go to receiving at either WHS Washington or WHS Greene). Thank you for your generosity and support.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting meal donations for our medical staff. Before having food delivered to any WHS location we ask that you please contact Sara at the WHS Foundation at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org. Sara will work with you to coordinate planning a meal for our team. Thank you for your generosity and support.

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