Gamma Knife South Africa COVID-19 protocols
Ensuring the safety of our staff and patients at all times
- All patients being treated at the Gamma Knife unit are required to have a COVID-19 test two days prior to treatment.
- If the COVID test is positive, the patient will be quarantined for ten days as per the World Health Organisation's guidelines and the South African government's regulations. The patient will receive treatment as soon as they are well enough to do so.
- Before patients arrive at the unit, they are required to do an online screening questionnaire. For patients who do not have access to a computer or smartphone, the screening will be done by our administrator when they arrive.
- Patients are also screened at the front door of Milpark Hospital before they are allowed access to the hospital.
- Staff are screened by the hospital on arrival.
- The Gamma Knife South Africa staff wear full personal protective equipment: scrubs, a long-sleeved sterile theatre gown, surgical mask, visor, hair cover and non-surgical gloves when working with patients.
- Our Gamma Knife unit is considered a green (non-COVID) zone.
- The Gamma Knife machine is wiped down with an 80% alcohol solution after every patient. Linen is also replaced after each patient.
- Staff`s hands and work surfaces are routinely sanitized every 30 minutes.
- A Zenex robot is used to clean every room in our unit once a day. This robot utilizes Xenon gas and ultraviolet light to kill microbes.
- The inter-departmental movement of staff at Milpark Hospital is prohibited to maximise safety.
- Patients are permitted to have one family member or friend accompany them to our unit. Those persons accompanying the patient are subject to the screening process at the entrance of the hospital.
- Within the Gamma Knife South Africa unit waiting area, social distance is ensured.
- We also encourage patients to utilize the bed hold room if there are too many patients in the waiting area. Our team will assist you.
- We stagger patients` appointments so as not to have too many people in our waiting area
Your treatment
- Mask wearing is compulsory.
- Your health and the health of our staff are of utmost importance to us. We, therefore, ask that everyone wears a mask when attending the hospital for their Gamma Knife treatment. Data shows that masks reduce the spread of disease and specifically reduce COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, it is of great importance that everyone wears a mask at all times.
- Patients and family members must wear masks at all times and sanitize their hands on arrival.
- Patients receiving Gamma Knife treatment can only remove their masks when the frame or mask (immobilization device) is applied to their head prior to their treatment.
- Visiting specialists are required to wear a surgical mask at all times and are subjected to the screening process at the entrance to the hospital.
- We thank you for your cooperation in this regard and for helping us to keep you, other patients and our staff safe. Should you have any concerns about our COVID-19 safety protocols, please Contact Us.
