COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

What is the City of Hope COVID-19 visitor policy, and when is it in effect?

Accepted Answer

Effective Wednesday, March 25, we will no longer allow patients to have visitors in any of our patient care areas. While we realize this step presents challenges for many of our patients, this action is critically important in order to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Question 2

Why has City of Hope put a &acirc;&#128;&#156;no visitor&acirc;&#128;&#157; policy in place at this time?

Accepted Answer

We have updated our visitor policy to further protect our patients and staff from the risk of COVID-19. These heightened restrictions are based on the latest information and recommendations from public health authorities during this critical period.

Question 3

Are there exceptions to the &acirc;&#128;&#156;no visitor&acirc;&#128;&#157; policy?

Accepted Answer

Pediatric patients under the age of 18 are permitted parents or guardians. Individuals with significant disabilities will be permitted one support person. Patients at end of life will be permitted visitors in coordination with the care team. Any permitted visitor must be over 18 years of age.

Question 4

If someone brings me to City of Hope for my appointment, where can they wait for me to finish my appointment?

Accepted Answer

If a caregiver drives you to City of Hope and is planning to wait for you to complete your appointment, please be aware that we continue to offer meals to go in front of City Caf&Atilde;&copy; located behind the Geri & Richard Brawerman Ambulatory Care Center. They also may sit or walk in our gardens and public spaces while maintaining COVID-19 social distancing. If your planned visit is longer in duration and your driver would like to leave and return, we will assist in calling them in advance of your pickup time. In addition, if they&acirc;&#128;&#153;re able, your caregiver might consider donating blood or platelets at the City of Hope Blood Donor Center. During the COVID-19 outbreak, there have been fewer donors and more canceled blood drives, resulting in less blood available for our patients. In the coming days, we anticipate an even greater impact to the blood supply and there is no substitute for donated blood. To make an appointment, call the Blood Donor Center at 626-218-7171 or online at idonateblood4hope.org.

Question 5

Will you provide restroom facilities for visitors not permitted to enter treatment areas?

Accepted Answer

On Friday, March 27, we will be installing new, self-contained bathroom facilities for campus visitors. They will be located between the Needleman and Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center buildings on our Duarte campus. These modern bathrooms will offer separate men&acirc;&#128;&#153;s and women&acirc;&#128;&#153;s facilities, with integrated hot-water handwashing stations, and will be serviced regularly by City of Hope staff.

Question 6

How can I connect with my family during this difficult time?

Accepted Answer

We know that loved ones are a vital part of your care and healing process. We will support you in using FaceTime, Skype or your phone to connect with and update your loved ones who cannot be with you in person at your visit or during your inpatient stay. Also, your City of Hope caregivers are available to support your needs during this time.

Question 7

Where should I go to drop off a care package for my loved one?

Accepted Answer

You may drop off any packages for your loved one at the security desk at the front of City of Hope Helford Clinical Research Hospital. Please be sure that the name and patient room number are on the package, as well as the name of the attending physician and medical record number if you know them. Our staff is glad to help you.

Question 8

Why are patient, staff and visitor screening procedures in place?

Accepted Answer

City of Hope is taking necessary precautions to protect the health of our patients, caregivers, staff and visitors. After a confirmed case of community transmission in Los Angeles County, we felt it was prudent to implement these measures now, as a precaution.

Question 9

What should I expect during the screening process?

Accepted Answer

We will ask you some basic questions about any symptoms. Patients&acirc;&#128;&macr;with a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or whose responses to screening questions indicate an elevated level of risk for COVID-19 exposure or infection will be brought to a designated area for further evaluation. All accompanying visitors or caregivers&acirc;&#128;&macr;will be asked to wait outside or explore one of City of Hope&acirc;&#128;&#153;s many gardens. Exceptions to our no visitor policy can be found in the Visitor Policy FAQs.

Question 10

Should I come early for my appointment to get through the line?

Accepted Answer

It is recommended that you arrive at City of Hope at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to ensure you have sufficient time to proceed through the line.

Question 11

Do I have to get rescreened if I go outside the perimeter to my car?

Accepted Answer

You only have to be screened once per day. &acirc;&#128;&macr;Once you have been screened and cleared, you will receive a wristband that allows you to enter and exit the building for the duration of that day without additional screenings. &acirc;&#128;&macr;You will have to be rescreened each day.

Question 12

Won&acirc;&#128;&#153;t I be exposed to potentially infected people while waiting in line?

Accepted Answer

We are preparing to accommodate social distancing even while in line.

Question 13

Where can I get screened?

Accepted Answer

You can get screened at the following locations: Main Medical: 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. In front of Helford Hospital: 24/7

Question 14

How long will the mandatory screening be in place?

Accepted Answer

We will continue to screen as long as we deem it is necessary to ensure the safety of our patients, guests and staff. We will do our best to communicate any changes and updates to you. We appreciate your patience and flexibility.

Question 15

I have received a &acirc;&#128;&#156;Safer at Home&acirc;&#128;&#157; order. Should I still come to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

The Safer at Home order contains an exemption for those who need to receive medical care. We recommend that you reach out directly to your doctor to see if a visit to City of Hope is essential at this time. Some services, especially nonessential procedures, may be postponed.

Question 16

I&acirc;&#128;&#153;m older than 65. Should I come to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you should still come. If we are able to defer your appointment or procedure we will call you to postpone.

Question 17

Do you offer telemedicine? Can I have my appointment online?

Accepted Answer

City of Hope has a telehealth offering which can provide care for our patients while proactively trying to minimize the need for travel to our main campus in Duarte or our community practice sites. Your City of Hope physician&acirc;&#128;&#153;s office will reach out to you if telemedicine is an option. As always, your health is our highest priority.

Question 18

What do I need to know when making an appointment?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that you reach out directly to your doctor to see if a visit to City of Hope is essential at this time. Some services, especially nonessential procedures, may be postponed. If you do make an appointment, know that you will be screened upon arrival. We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes early for this process. We will ask you some basic questions about any symptoms. Patients&acirc;&#128;&macr;with a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or whose responses to screening questions indicate an elevated level of risk for COVID-19 exposure or infection, will be brought to a secondary screening area for further evaluation. All accompanying visitors or caregivers&acirc;&#128;&macr;will be asked to wait outside, leave and come back or explore one of City of Hope&acirc;&#128;&#153;s many gardens.

Question 19

Should I be worried about getting infected with COVID-19 at City of Hope?

Accepted Answer

City of Hope has extensive and thorough infection control procedures, and we will do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our community. We have protocols and systems in place to keep all patients, visitors and health care workers safe.

Question 20

What steps are doctors, nurses and other caretakers taking to safeguard their and my health?

Accepted Answer

Our staff pass through the same screening checkpoints as patients and exempt visitors before coming to work. We&acirc;&#128;&#153;ve also canceled nonessential procedures and rescheduled or converted many of our appointments to telemedicine.

Question 21

Do I need to wear a mask?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all patients who pass our entrance health screenings will be asked to wear a mask at all times in clinical areas. If a patient arrives without a mask, we&acirc;&#128;&#153;ll provide one. Similarly, all City of Hope staff will wear a mask while in clinical buildings.

Question 22

What measures are you taking to make sure all patient and visitor areas are properly sanitized and disinfected?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the safety of our patients, we have hired additional staff to focus solely on disinfecting and sanitizing high-traffic and high-touch areas. We have increased our frequency of disinfection on all hard surfaces to multiple times a day, and we have added more hand sanitizing stations throughout our campus. We are also using disinfectant to sanitize large spaces like our waiting rooms more effectively and efficiently.

Question 23

Is it safe for me to use a City of Hope-owned wheelchair?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wheelchairs are wiped down and disinfected with hospital-grade disinfectant for every patient.

Question 24

How is social distancing being implemented in the infusion center? (Or how are you keeping chemotherapy patients safe during infusions?)

Accepted Answer

Infusion appointment volumes have decreased by 15-20% and waiting rooms are no longer crowded. Patients who are waiting for treatment are able to maintain a distance of 6 feet or more away from each other. Inpatients are placed in private rooms, as available. Due to lower appointment volumes in the early mornings and late afternoons, we are able to leave every other infusion chair vacant. At nearly all times, patients will be kept 6 feet apart. During peak hours, due to space constraints, patients may be seated within 4 to 6 feet of one another, in which case a curtain will be drawn between them. The no-visitor policy has also helped to create more physical distance between patients.

Question 25

Are all cancer patients at risk, or only those currently undergoing treatment?

Accepted Answer

Patients who are undergoing active treatment for cancer are presumably at higher risk than those who are in remission. Patients who are in the first year after stem cell transplantation or CAR T cell therapy could be at higher risk for complications if they get infected with COVID-19. Those who are beyond one year after transplantation and are still considered to be immunocompromised may remain at an elevated risk for complications.

Question 26

Do we know how COVID-19 affects cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

We are still learning how this virus may impact those who have cancer. So far, data from China suggests that patients with cancer have the highest risk of complications. This includes events such as admission to the ICU, the need for ventilator support and poor outcomes. The risk is higher in patients with more than one chronic medical condition.

Question 27

Should I be washing my hands or using sanitizer/wipes more often than others? Is there a special sanitation regime I should be undertaking?

Accepted Answer

Hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water or the use of alcohol gel/sanitizer with a greater than 60% alcohol content on a regular basis is recommended. Touching of the face, eyes or nose with unclean hands is strongly discouraged. When in shared spaces, wipe down surfaces such as desk, chairs, doorknobs, tabletops, airline seat/table (travel is discouraged!) with disinfectant or antiseptic wipes.

Question 28

What should I do if a family member develops symptoms?

Accepted Answer

If family members develop an illness, it is imperative that they and you wash hands frequently. Keep surfaces clean and maintain distance from them if possible (e.g., sleep in different rooms, don't eat at a common table, etc.) to minimize the risk of infection. We empathize that this can be very difficult for families with children &acirc;&#128;&#148; however, having a candid discussion with the family about recommended preventive steps could be helpful.

Question 29

What if I was in contact with someone who later developed symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Call your doctor and ask for guidance. The most common symptoms of COVID-19, which may appear two to 14 days after exposure, are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include body aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat. Contact your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Question 30

How will I be able to tell if I have COVID-19 or just the cold or flu?

Accepted Answer

It will be difficult to distinguish one viral infection from another when experiencing a mild illness, especially with no recent travel history or contact with someone known to have COVID-19. If your symptoms worsen or you develop shortness of breath, you will need routine tests for infection (e.g., influenza) and COVID-19.

Question 31

What should I do if I have symptoms?

Accepted Answer

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (such as high fever, a deep dry cough, fatigue and shortness of breath), call your City of Hope oncologist.

Question 32

Can I get tested for COVID-19 at City of Hope?

Accepted Answer

Testing for COVID-19 is done on a patient-by-patient basis based on the entire clinical picture and in consultation with our infectious disease specialists. We usually do not test patients without symptoms. If you are a patient and you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (such as high fever, a deep dry cough, fatigue and shortness of breath), please do not come directly to City of Hope. First, call your City of Hope oncologist for instructions. We are unable to provide testing for COVID-19 for anyone other than our patients.  If you develop symptoms of any upper respiratory infection, please do not come to City of Hope &acirc;&#128;&#147; our vulnerable patient population thanks you!

Question 33

Are there ways to boost the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Get a good night's sleep &acirc;&#128;&#148; lack of sleep has been associated with weakened immunity. There is no substitute for healthy meals &acirc;&#128;&#148; make sure you are eating lots of vegetables and fruits. There is no proven role of supplements; however, if someone chooses to use supplements such as vitamin C, it is unlikely to be harmful. Exercise will keep you strong and conditioned, but avoid gyms.

Question 34

How can I deal with my anxiety over this virus?

Accepted Answer

It is most likely that this virus will be circulating in the community for some time, increasing the likelihood of acquisition. However, by employing frequent hand hygiene, environmental disinfection, social distancing (including of family members if they are ill) and avoiding travel and crowded places, you can minimize the chances of contracting COVID-19. We also have a strong team of supportive care experts who can provide support as needed. Lastly, we recommend vaccination for influenza (for both the patient and family members/caregivers) &acirc;&#128;&#148; it is still circulating in the community and it is also a major cause of poor outcomes in patients with compromised immune systems.

Question 35

Should I keep my follow-up appointments, or is it better to avoid the hospital for the time being?

Accepted Answer

If you are doing well and are asymptomatic, consider contacting your doctor to determine if routine follow-up is necessary at this time. Avoiding a hospital visit would limit your risk. If you have mild symptoms of fever, runny nose and cough, please stay at home, as you would do for the common cold. However, if you have worsening symptoms or shortness of breath, then contact your doctor and seek medical attention (call ahead so the team can be prepared to take care of you). All necessary visits and treatment as scheduled by your doctor should be kept, unless you meet one of the above criteria.

Question 36

How much medication should I keep on hand in case I can&acirc;&#128;&#153;t go to City of Hope or the pharmacy to pick up more?

Accepted Answer

Public health experts are advising older adults and those with chronic health conditions like cancer to keep an extra supply of prescribed medication on hand in case you are asked to stay at home for a prolonged time. If concerned, please call your doctor.  At this time, pharmacies are considered essential services and are expected to be open. Many pharmacies are providing mail order services which can also be explored.

Question 37

I&acirc;&#128;&#153;m a patient at City of Hope | Mission Hills and was told my next appointment will be at City of Hope | Santa Clarita. Why?

Accepted Answer

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, nothing is more important to us at City of Hope than your health and safety. In an effort to take all necessary precautions to protect patients and staff, we have made the decision to temporarily consolidate all of our medical oncology, surgical oncology and gynecologic oncology services at our City of Hope | Santa Clarita practice located at 23823 Valencia Blvd., Suite 250, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. As a result, we will be transitioning infusions beginning March 26, 2020. All clinic appointments will be transitioned as of March 30, 2020. Radiation Oncology services will continue to be offered at Mission Hills and Santa Clarita. Your care team will be in contact regarding these changes.

Question 38

If I have chemo or a BMT scheduled, should I postpone it?

Accepted Answer

If you have no symptoms and feel well, with no exposure history, the treatment can continue without interruption (as determined by your doctor). Postponing a BMT must be decided by your transplant doctor.

Question 39

I have a question not answered here. Where can I go for help?

Accepted Answer

If you have questions or concerns related to COVID-19, please call our COVID-19 Patient Hotline at 844-961-4673, Monday through Friday, during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or contact your care team via our patient portal, MyCityofHope. City of Hope also recommends the following resources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization

Question 40

I&acirc;&#128;&#153;m a patient at City of Hope | Mission Hills and was told my next appointment will be at City of Hope | Santa Clarita. Why?

Accepted Answer

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, nothing is more important to us at City of Hope than your health and safety. In an effort to take all necessary precautions to protect patients and staff, we have made the decision to temporarily consolidate all of our medical oncology, surgical oncology and gynecologic oncology services at our City of Hope | Santa Clarita practice located at 23823 Valencia Blvd., Suite 250, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. As a result, we will be transitioning infusions beginning March 26, 2020. All clinic appointments will be transitioned as of March 30, 2020. Radiation Oncology services will continue to be offered at Mission Hills and Santa Clarita. Your care team will be in contact regarding these changes.

Question 41

Is there a way to indicate to authorities that I&acirc;&#128;&#153;m traveling to City of Hope for essential services?

Accepted Answer

If you request it, your physician can supply you with a memo indicating that your trip is health care-related and allowable under the Safer at Home policy.

Question 42

Do I park in the same place?

Accepted Answer

COVID-19 has not impacted parking in any way.

Question 43

Is it safe for me to use the valet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our valets are observing social distancing recommendations, wearing masks, sanitizing steering wheels and wearing a new set of gloves for each vehicle they come in contact with. Your safety is our priority.

Question 44

Should cancer patients avoid public transportation, travel and events? What about survivors and caregivers? Is it safe to leave home at all?

Accepted Answer

Social distancing is recommended for our patients to limit the risk of acquiring COVID-19. This includes limiting crowded and closed spaces &acirc;&#128;&#148; these scenarios include a crowded bus or train, movie theaters, malls, sporting arenas, restaurants, etc. Travel should be limited such as air travel and particularly cruise ships. Cancer survivors may have some lingering immune deficits and may be at risk for serious disease even years after stem cell transplantation. It is important to contact your doctor with any questions. However, this does not mean that you cannot leave home. You may plan to take walks around the neighborhood and go grocery shopping during off-peak hours if it cannot be done by someone else &acirc;&#128;&#148; bring your own grocery bags, disinfect cart handles, and wash hands or use hand sanitizer after using the cart. The most important aspect is prevention; hand hygiene is critical.

Question 45

Is City of Hope recommending that patients restrict all international travel?

Accepted Answer

City of Hope is encouraging all patients to follow the CDC&acirc;&#128;&#153;s guidelines, which can be found on its website. The CDC is closely monitoring COVID-19 outside the United States and is issuing country-by-country advisories regarding the level of risk for Americans.

Question 46

How is City of Hope&acirc;&#128;&#153;s current blood product supply?

Accepted Answer

The City of Hope Blood Donor Center continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our blood supply as well as those of other suppliers. As the situation is evolving, there have been fewer donors and more canceled blood drives, resulting in less blood available for our patients. In the coming days we anticipate an even greater impact to the blood supply and there is really no substitute for donated blood. Consequently, it has become even more important that donors continue to donate blood.

Question 47

Am I at risk of exposure to COVID-19 if I donate?

Accepted Answer

Please be aware that blood collection drives are not mass gatherings and individuals are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 through the blood donation process or via a blood transfusion.

Question 48

Can the coronavirus be spread through a blood transfusion?

Accepted Answer

The Food and Drug Administration has found no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 or other coronaviruses through a blood transfusion.

Question 49

Is our blood supply safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Before any donation can be used, it is tested for viruses that can be transmitted through the blood, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, West Nile virus, and human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), as well as for bacterial infections.

Question 50

Are blood donors screened for COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

Everyone entering the City of Hope Blood Donor Center is screened for fever, symptoms and exposure to the COVID-19 virus. At registration they again are asked about COVID-19 exposure, and shortly prior to the donation, the donor room nurses do another screening for fever and symptoms.

Question 51

What other safety precautions is the Blood Donor Center taking?

Accepted Answer

In the waiting room, there is 6 feet of space between each chair. Every surface &acirc;&#128;&#148; including the pens used by donors and the brochure folders &acirc;&#128;&#148; is disinfected after each use. Members of the staff are masked, wear safety coats and, except for the screening and blood draw itself, a minimum 6-foot distance between people is always maintained.

Question 52

Have blood donation rules changed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Food and Drug Administration has relaxed some of its blood donation rules to widen the pool of potential donors during this critical time. More information can be found on their website.

Question 53

How can I schedule an appointment to donate?

Accepted Answer

The Blood Donor Center is open for donations Monday through Saturday, and the second Sunday of every month &acirc;&#128;&#148; but for safety&acirc;&#128;&#153;s sake, they&acirc;&#128;&#153;re asking donors not to show up without an appointment, which you can make at idonateblood4hope.org or by calling 626-218-7171.

Question 54

When is the Blood Donor Center open for appointments?

Accepted Answer

Below are the hours of operation: Monday to Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Second Sunday of the month 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Question 55

Are you still doing community blood drives?

Accepted Answer

Community blood drives haven been severely curtailed. Bloodmobiles, a mainstay of the drives, can no longer be deployed because they aren&acirc;&#128;&#153;t big enough to maintain social distancing. And schools, which had been a huge source of donors, are now closed. Hundreds of blood-drive commitments were canceled, and an enormous number of expected donations were lost. We are reaching out to the schools and organizations that had been hosting blood drives and asking them to find new community locations that would work.

Question 56

Can I help arrange a blood drive?

Accepted Answer

If your company or organization would like to host a blood drive, the first step is finding the right venue. In order to maintain adequate social distancing, you&acirc;&#128;&#153;ll need at least 2,000 square feet of cleared area, either a single, large room or a combination of rooms. It should be well ventilated with good temperature regulation and have sufficient lighting and electrical outlets, as well as clean, functioning restrooms.When you have a location that meets these requirements and are ready to begin setting up your drive, contact Cynthia Rochin, crochin@coh.org, 626-658-1978, or Cheryl Gonzales, chegonzales@coh.org. They&acirc;&#128;&#153;ll help you create a successful blood drive that can save lives.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Visitor Policy FAQs

Screening FAQs

Patient Safety FAQs

Treatment-related FAQs

Clinical Locations FAQs

Navigation and Transportation FAQs

Blood Donation FAQs