Preventive care appointments

Most Great River Health clinics have resumed regular schedules. In-person appointments are available. Telehealth appointments through digital devices or landline telephone calls also are available. Call your provider’s office for information about scheduling.

Elective screenings, diagnostic tests & surgeries

Great River Medical Center is offering most screenings, diagnostic tests and surgeries. This includes outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapy, mammography and DEXA bone-density scanning. Call your provider’s office for information about scheduling.

Get billing and insurance help at home​

To practice social distancing and avoid COVID-19 screening at hospital entrances, you can access these services from home:

· Pay a bill - Click here or call 319-768-3625, and press option 2 visit.

· Enroll in Presumptive Medicaid or Healthcare Marketplace - Call 319-768-3625, and press option 2.

For additional billing information, including price transparency, visit our Billing & Financial Services page.

Call Center

319-768-1009 or 800-871-3313

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Get answers to questions about respiratory symptoms and potential exposure to the illness.

Events

Most public events offered by Great River Health have been canceled until further notice. However, some clinical programs will be held. Please visit greatriverhealth.org/events or Facebook for more information.

Breastfeeding Clinic

The weekly Breastfeeding Clinic is canceled until the nationwide outbreak is contained. Mothers who need individual help with breastfeeding or checking their babies’ weight may call 319-768-2618 to make an appointment.

Senior Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

SHIIP, a volunteer-based program, is closed. However, SHIIP volunteers are checking phone messages. Call 319-768-3342. You also can call 800-Medicare with your questions.

Cafeteria

The hospital cafeteria is closed to the public.

Gift Shop

The gift shops at Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital are closed.

Great River Gift Shop is accepting telephone orders for flowers and gifts for patients or staff. Call 319-768-3480.

Great River Health is participating in a program researching the use of donated blood as a treatment for people with severe COVID-19. The Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program is led by Mayo Clinic.

How convalescent plasma helps

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. People who have recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies that fight the virus in their plasma. Giving this antibody-rich blood product - convalescent plasma - to people who are newly diagnosed with COVID-19 may lead to faster recovery.

Recovered patients can donate plasma at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center in Burlington. Great River Health encourages donations of convalescent plasma to help others in our community.

Criteria for donating blood plasma

Donors must meet all required screening criteria for blood donation and additional FDA criteria. Donors must:

• Be at least 28 days from recovery of their COVID-19 infection
• Have had a positive molecular test (also called PCR or polymerase chain reaction) showing they have a COVID-19 infection. If you are unsure what kind of test you had, please ask your health care provider.
• Meet all standard eligibility criteria for blood donation

How to donate blood plasma

If you meet the criteria, please visit https://www.bloodcenter.org/hospitals/patient-services/convalescent-plasma/ to complete the self-referral or care provider form. The blood center’s Patient Services team will follow up with you to determine if you are eligible to donate and schedule a donation appointment.

If you have questions, please call 833-610-1025.

Health Fitness & Universal Fitness

Reopening Oct. 7

Hours

Health Fitness gym

Monday through Friday:

5 to 7 a.m.

8 to 10 a.m.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

1 to 2 p.m. - Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III and disease-specific programs only

3 to 6 p.m.

Saturday:

7 to 10 a.m.

Health Fitness pool

*The warm-water pool will be closed until the chlorinator is replaced. We hope to open Oct. 8.

7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays

7 to 10 a.m. Saturday

Universal Fitness

5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

You Must Make Appointments

To ensure social distancing, you must make an appointment to exercise using our Club Automation membership portal (look under “Classes”) or calling 319-768-4191 (Health Fitness) or 319-208-1744 (Universal Fitness).

When You Arrive

• Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your exercise appointment.
• Allow extra time for health screening when you enter the building. You will be asked questions about COVID-19 symptoms and recent travel, and have your temperature taken. If you don’t pass the screening, you will be asked to leave the building.
• Please consider wearing a mask when you are not actively exercising.
• After passing the screening, scan your membership card and follow the signs in the gym.

For Everyone’s Safety

• The gyms will be cleaned thoroughly during closed periods and at the end of the day. When we are open, we sanitize high-touch areas like handrails and door handles frequently.
• Use hand sanitizer when you enter and before you leave.
• Individual exercise areas are marked by tape on the main level and track (Health Fitness).
• Practice social distancing at all times.
• Use only one piece of equipment at a time. Please clean equipment with a wipe and switch the sign to “DIRTY” when you are finished using it. A staff member also will clean the equipment and then turn the sign to “CLEAN” when it’s ready to use.

Your Membership & Billing

Because we are reopening Oct. 7, we will prorate your October fee 25%. We understand you may be uncomfortable returning to the gym at this time. That’s OK. We want you to feel comfortable, safe and ready. To allow you time to notify us if you wish to remain inactive a while longer, we are waiting until Monday, Oct. 12, to reactivate billing.

Other information

• Please limit your time on cardiovascular machines to 30 minutes at peak times when others may be waiting.
• Bring water. Water fountains and bottle refill stations are temporarily unavailable.
• Only people using the Health Fitness pool may use lockers and showers.
• Towels are unavailable.

Everyone entering the hospital is asked about the presence of respiratory symptoms and recent travel, and their temperatures are taken. If potential visitors are positive in any area, they will not be allowed to visit.

All potential visitors and outpatients are screened before entering the hospital through these locations:

• Main entrance - 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
• Emergency Department entrance - 24 hours a day
• Cancer Care Plaza - 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Mercy Plaza - 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Wellness Plaza - 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (beginning Oct. 7); 7 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday

All other entrances are closed.

Clinics that are not attached to Great River Medical Center are also screening patients, visitors and employees. Masks are also required.

Great River Health-Keokuk

Primary care, specialty clinic, physical therapy, mammography and DEXA bone-density scanning

7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Urgent care

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Respiratory patients

Patients who are experiencing respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath or coughing, are asked to call 319-524-6274 for an appointment.

If you need copies of your medical records, please call before coming to the hospital. We will give you a pickup time and deliver your records to your vehicle. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Fort Madison Community Hospital - 319-376-2130
• Great River Medical Center - 319-768-1900

Heritage Family Pharmacy

To protect patients and employees, only drive-through service is open at Heritage Family Pharmacy at Family Medicine. If you need a refill, please call 319-753-3681, or use Great River Health’s patient portal before coming to the drive-through window.

QuickCare Services

QuickCare services have relocated to Familly Medicine-Great River Medical Center, 1201 W. Agency Rd., West Burlington.

Appointments are required. Call 319-768-4320.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Respiratory Center

Great River Health and Henry County Health Center offer clinics in four cities for people who have respiratory symptoms that may indicate COVID-19. Because these services are provided in locations where other patients may be present, appointments are required. Most patients should call the clinic before entering. Instructions will be provided when making an appointment.

Monday through Friday services

Burlington

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great River QuickCare

624 S. Roosevelt Ave.

319-768-1009, option 3

Fort Madison

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fort Madison Community Hospital

Suite 120

5445 Avenue O

319-376-2134

Keokuk

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Great River Health-Keokuk

3285 Main St.

319-524-6274

Mount Pleasant

9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.

Physicians & Clinics of HCHC Acute Care Services

407 S. White St.

319-385-6540

Weekend services

Fort Madison

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Fort Madison Community Hospital

Main Clinic

5445 Avenue O

319-376-2134

Keokuk

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Great River Health-Keokuk

3285 Main St.

319-524-6274

West Burlington

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Family Medicine-Great River Medical Center

1201 W. Agency Rd.

319-768-1009, option 3

Keokuk

Great River Health-Keokuk

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3285 Main St.

319-524-6274

What is telehealth?

Telehealth allows you to connect with your health care provider without coming to a clinic. There are two types of visits:

• Telephone appointment
• Video appointment using your Android or Apple smartphone

Why telehealth?

Practicing social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is a high priority. It is important to continue serving our patients while reducing their risk for exposure to the virus. During this time, we are offering telehealth because the government has provided waivers to hospitals and health systems for the service.

Make an appointment

Call the clinic you wish to visit and request an appointment for a telehealth visit with a provider.

Download the app for video appointments

Attend a telehealth video appointment

• Telephone - You will receive a telephone call to begin your visit.
• Video - Log in to Great River UC a few minutes before your appointment time.

Clinics offering telehealth visits

For more information, visit Telehealth

APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED.

To get an appointment, Iowans should:

1. Take the online assessment at TestIowa.com
2. Choose "Addtional scheduling options"
3. Select "I would like to be tested at a local clinic"
4. Follow the remaining instructions.

• Test Iowa appointments at this location will be made by telephone. The number to call is 319-768-1009 or 800-871-3313.
• A unique ID is required to make an appointment.

Great River Health Drive-Thru Testing Site

Des Moines County Fairgrounds on the campus of Southeastern Community College (SCC) - MAP

1015 S. Gear Ave.

West Burlington, IA 52655

Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visiting Restrictions - Updated Oct. 6

Great River Medical Center has resumed limited visiting in most inpatient areas. Most inpatients may have one visitor per day between noon and 6 p.m. Visitors may not leave and return in the same day. Patients must give the name of their visitor to a member of their health care team before the visitor arrives.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass COVID-19 screening
• Use the main entrance
• Wear a mask at all times while in the building
• Stay in the patient’s room or designated visitor area

Patients in these situations may not have visitors:

• COVID-19 Unit
• Under investigation for COVID-19
• Isolation precautions, except for restrictive and contact precautions

Area-specific information

Visiting times and restrictions vary in these areas:

• Behavioral Health Unit - Visiting hours are 3 to 5 p.m.
• End of life when death is imminent - Two visitors
• Obstetrics Unit - One partner or birth support person
  • Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients - One birth parent plus one significant other
• Pediatrics Unit/patients under 18 - One parent or guardian

Exceptions

Exceptions that require approval for visitation outside of visiting hours by the unit director include:

• Family members may participate in care planning meetings when required.
• Patients who have transitioned to comfort care.
• Patients with disruptive behavior whose family member is key to their care may have one visitor overnight.
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays who require a caregiver to help provide safety may have one visitor overnight.

Other special circumstances may be approved by the unit director.

Outpatient areas and clinics

• Clinics (most) - Adult patients who require a caregiver and children under 18 may have one visitor.
  • Women's Health - One visitor for ultrasound appointments only
• Cancer treatment - One visitor
• Day Hospital - One visitor
• Day Surgery- One visitor
• Diagnostic Imaging - No visitors unless the patient is under 17 or needs assistance
• Emergency Department - No visitors unless approved by staff based on the patient’s clinical condition
• Heart & Vascular Center - One visitor
• Laboratory testing - No visitors unless the patient is under 17 or needs assistance

Screening process

All potential visitors and outpatients are screened before entering the hospital through these locations:

• Main entrance - 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
• Emergency Department entrance - 24 hours a day
• Cancer Care Plaza - 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Mercy Plaza - 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Wellness Plaza - 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (beginning Oct. 7); 7 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday

All other entrances are closed.

Everyone entering the hospital is asked about the presence of respiratory symptoms and recent travel, and their temperatures are taken. If potential visitors are positive in any area, they will not be allowed to visit.

COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.

• The virus that causes COVID-19 is new. Therefore, anyone who has not already been infected is at risk.
• Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
• Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

• Contact with someone with the virus who is sneezing and/or coughing.
• Indirect contact from contaminated hands and objects soiled with nasal and throat secretions, such as tissues.

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard in a trash.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

We are grateful for donations of homemade face masks for potential use in a COVID-19 outbreak in our community. Links to two patterns are below. Please follow one of these patterns using 100% tightly woven cotton fabric.

Drop off masks at the main entrance to the hospital. They will be washed at the hospital. Using CDC guidelines, the hospital will determine when cloth masks would be used by patients with no respiratory symptoms. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms and staff who care for them will use surgical masks unless the nationwide supply is exhausted.

• Olson Mask Pattern
• How to make a face mask