Patients PATIENT PORTAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK-2020 HALE COUNTY COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND HOSPITAL GUIDELINES Community Updates: Updated 11/16/21 Number of Cases in Hale County: 3,157 Number of Cases in Alabama: 840,495 To our Hale County Community-- As many of you know, the threat of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has expanded rapidly over the last several days since the first cases were reported in Alabama. At Hale County Hospital, we are doing everything we can to adequately prepare for the possibility of the presence of COVID-19 in our community, and to make sure we are ready to respond to your needs. The coronavirus situation changes daily, if not hourly, so please stay tuned for updates on the situation and our protocols and response. For the time being, we are taking the following steps and implementing the following measures: We have established a hotline number you can call from 8am-5pm daily if you have questions about COVID-19. The number is listed below: 334-624-3024 x2131 Also keep in mind that the Alabama Department of Public Health can always be reached on the phone by simply dialing 211. Any of these phone numbers will direct you to someone who can better inform you about the coronavirus situation, signs and symptoms, and proper protocols. That said, there are hospital-wide protocols we are implementing for people exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus. The symptoms of the coronavirus disease are similar to those of the flu, and include: Fever Cough Shortness of breath Loss of smell or taste Symptoms can appear within 2-14 days of exposure to the virus, so if you think you have been exposed, it is important to minimize contact with others for at least this period of time to ensure you haven’t developed the disease and can’t transmit it to others. If you have mild symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please isolate yourself at home to prevent spreading the virus to others. If your situation worsens and you or someone you know have coronavirus symptoms that can’t be managed at home and you would like to come to the hospital, please follow the protocol below: To protect as many members of the community as possible, when coming to the hospital or ER please let us know upon registration if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. To schedule a COVID-19 test or vaccine, please call one of the clinics and notify our staff of your COVID-19 concerns. Moundville Medical Associates: (205) 371-4444 Hale County Hospital Clinic: (334) 624-4442 ******Please note: the Hale County Hospital doesn’t charge a collection fee for the COVID-19 swab test, but our contracting lab, Core Laboratory, will charge a $99 fee for the test for uninsured patients. We now offer a COVID-19 Antigen Test that costs $55, payable by cash, check, or debit card. The extent to which insurance will cover this test has yet to be determined.****** New Visitor Policy COVID-19 and Symptomatic PUI Inpatients COVID-19 positive or Symptomatic PUI patients will not be allowed to have any Caregivers present at the bedside except in end-of-life situations. Non-COVID Inpatients, Respite, and Swing Bed Patients One competent Caregiver, chosen by the patient for the entire stay, will be allowed in situations where his/her presence improves the patient’s safety, emotional well-being, or physical care. The one caregiver must: Be competent in his/her ability to improve the care and understanding of the patient. Follow Universal Masking Guidelines: Caregivers should be wearing their own face covering upon arrival to the facility and must wear it at all times. Face coverings can be made of a variety of materials, including cloth, for the purpose of Universal Source Control. Face coverings should not be placed on children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Individuals who are unable to wear a mask shall not be allowed into the hospital. Agree to practice appropriate hand hygiene and limit the touching of surfaces in patient care areas. Stay in the room: Caregivers are asked to remain in the patient’s room and not leave the unit or roam the hospital except for basic personal needs (ex: food, restroom) Comply with entrance screening: HCH will continue a limited and monitored point of entry, with active Caregiver screening upon entry. Entrance screening will be overseen by Registration, Nursing and Security personnel. Only one Caregiver will be allowed for the entire hospitalization. The Caregiver will not be allowed to rotate with any other Caregiver, unless approved by the House Supervisor and Physician during the patients’ hospitalization in consideration of the need to limit unnecessary exposures. Entry will be denied to anyone who screens positive for symptoms of COVID-19 such as a temperature above 100.4, cough or shortness of breath. Caregivers must wear a visitor badge at all times. The designated entrance will only be open between 8am and 9pm. Caregivers, as defined above, will not be allowed to enter after 9pm. Any emergency need should be escalated to House Supervisor on duty for approval. Emergency Departments One Caregiver will be permitted to stay with non-Covid patients, upon approval of the ER Nurse. The Caregiver (meeting the above requirements listed under Non-Covid Inpatients) is to remain in the patient’s ER room. VISITORS are NOT allowed. CAREGIVERS must wait outside of the hospital or in their car until the patient is assessed, placed in a private ER room, and approved by the care team Caregivers may not sit in any hospital lobby. Emergency room personnel will notify the caregiver once the patient has been assessed, approved for a caregiver, and placed in a private ER room. Children 18 and under may have one caregiver accompany them in the ER upon arrival Total discretion is given to the House Supervisor/Care Team For those of you who would like to take precautions to protect yourself, here are some small steps you can implement to keep yourself and others as safe as possible. Wash hands for 20 seconds at least every hour with antibacterial soap. Also be sure to wash your hands before eating, after coming into contact with communal surfaces, after visiting public places, etc. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then dispose of that tissue Do not touch your face, especially nose, eyes, and mouth Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least 3 times a day Avoid non-essential travel. When you do travel for essential reasons (e.g. grocery shopping), use available disinfectant wipes on your carts/baskets, and sanitize your hands and any personal belongings. Stay home if sick and self-quarantine to protect others who may live with you Social distancing; avoid large crowds (e.g. supermarkets, churches, restaurants). The CDC has continued recommending that unvaccinated people wear a mask to protect themselves and others. If you would like to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact one of our clinics. On that note, the hospital is in short supply of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and is accepting donations--if anyone has gowns, surgical masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes or other disinfectant products, and/or gloves that they are willing to donate, we would be extremely grateful for any such donation 508 Greene Street, Greensboro AL, 36744 Hale County Hospital (334) 624-3024 Hale County Hospital Clinic (334) 624-4442 Moundville Medical Associates (205) 371-4444 Hale County Hospital Home Health (334) 624-3066 Hale County Hospital Physical Therapy (334) 624-1713