Carroll County Memorial Hospital has announced measures being adopted to protect the health of patients, visitors and staff in our facility and the community against the coronavirus, COVID-19.
“CCMH is dedicated to the health and well-being of all we serve including patients, visitors, and staff members who provide care to all of the people who depend on CCMH for their healthcare needs,” said Jeff Tindle, CCMH CEO. “As healthcare providers, we take very seriously our responsibility to provide a safe environment, while delivering high quality, compassionate healthcare.”
Tindle stressed that precautionary measures are being implemented immediately, beyond the normal routine formed during the influenza season.
“We are very grateful that we’ve not seen impact locally of COVID-19,” Tindle said. “At CCMH, our goal is to take every precaution by limiting the risk of exposure to our patients, visitors, colleagues and physicians in order to keep our patients, our caregivers, and our community safe by avoiding any spread of this virus, should it come into our community.”
The following measures will be implemented beginning Monday, March 16, 2020:
- Consolidating entry points at the hospital and requiring that all patients and visitors are screened prior to entry, per the CDC guidelines.
- Based on each individual screening outcome, appropriate protocols will be implemented.
- Temporarily closing 4 Corners Café to the public
- Temporarily suspending community access to the Wellness Center and Pool
- Temporarily suspending Care Connection services held at CCMH
- Canceling and rescheduling some community events and classes.
- Visitors to CCMH will encounter signage to help them navigate through the facility and greeters who will assist in navigation.
CCMH has limited access to the main hospital through two entry points. Anyone coming into the hospital will need to enter through the Emergency Walk-in Entrance (located under the red emergency sign), open 24/7, or the CCMH Medical Plaza Entrance, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Entrance to the Jefferson Medical Pavilion will be limited to the Jefferson Street entrance only. All patients entering our facility will need to pre-screen. If patients are experiencing any symptoms of illness, they will be asked to wear a mask and seek treatment, if necessary.
As is always the case when visiting CCMH, the public is encouraged to seek medical attention and avoiding visiting a patient if they:
- Have a fever.
- Have a cough or shortness of breath and/or have traveled outside the US in the past 14 days.
- Have had direct contact with someone who is currently being screened or has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
CCMH asks that patients limit the number of family members attending appointments. Patients should also plan for earlier arrival times due to potential delays entering the building while pre-screening is in place.
In an effort to provide you and your loved ones with the best healthcare experience possible, a new visitor policy has been established to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses and help maintain a safe environment for our patients, colleagues, and visitors. The following precautions have been established:
- All visitors will be screened.
- Only two visitors at a time per patient.
- Visitors aged 14 and under are restricted.
- Reduced visiting hours: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. daily
“COVID-19, or Coronavirus, has been established as a Pandemic by the World Health Organization,” said Andy Horine, D.O., CCMH Chief Medical Information Officer. “The overwhelming majority of individuals will likely have a mild illness and recover without any issues using the same techniques our parents taught us; rest, fluids, and good nutrition. Those at higher risk are the elderly population and people who have other health conditions, especially chronic lung issues. Most importantly now is to practice good handwashing, cover your coughs and sneezes, minimize touching your face, and consider avoiding large groups unless truly necessary.”
CCMH acknowledges that, although these measures might present an inconvenience to those who visit our hospital and other care sites, priority is being taken for its responsibility to ALWAYS put the health and safety of ALL patients, visitors, colleagues, and physicians first.
CCMH continues to work in close partnership with state and local health departments and the CDC and will provide updates as needed.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services activated a statewide public hotline at 877-435-8411 for citizens needing guidance regarding COVID-19. The hotline is operated by medical professionals and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
