Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

COVID-19 Online Risk Assessment

To help support the health of our community, we are providing access to an online COVID-19 risk assessment developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool does NOT provide a diagnosis, and it should NOT be used as a substitute for an assessment made by a healthcare provider.

Begin CDC Online Assessment

For Patients and Visitors:

At Harris Regional Hospital, our top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community. We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients. Please be advised that effective October 27, 2021 Harris Regional Hospital and associated entities will be enforcing the following visitor policy.

No visitors/companions under any circumstance will be permitted to stay if they have existing signs/symptoms of respiratory illness, including: fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

The hospital(s) will allow the following visitation guidelines:

All approved visitors will be screened upon entry at registration, required to wear a mask, and visitor sticker indicating they have been screened.
Visitors who answer YES to any of the screening questions or have a temperature greater than 100° F will be denied entry and be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free.
Visitors should utilize alternative methods of communication, including technology, with patients as much as possible.
MASKS AND ADHERENCE TO HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL POLICY IS REQUIRED. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mask, but one will be provided if necessary. Visitors should not wander the hospital.
Inpatients and ER (Harris and Swain) will be limited to one visitor in room at a time, 12 years of age or older, 24/7. This change allows for multiple visitors per day.
- Visitation IS allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised, or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) if visitor has passed screen and wears appropriate PPE in patient room. Visitation is allowed for short duration not to exceed 15 minutes
  - Counsel patients and their visitor(s) about the risks of an in-person visit.
  - Encourage use of alternative mechanisms for patient and visitor interactions such as video-call applications on cell phones or tablets, when appropriate.
  - Facilities should provide instruction, before visitors enter the patient’s room, on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of PPE according to current facility policy.
  - Visitors should be instructed to only visit the patient room. They should minimize their time spent in other locations in the facility.
- Lab, Radiology, Ortho, Cardiology, PT may have 1 companion.
- Outpatient surgery (ASU) patients will be allowed 1 family member as a companion, patients under 18 will be allowed to have 2 parents/guardians present.
  - Any patient that will be an inpatient post-op will be allowed to have 1 companion in ASU.
  - Once a companion has entered ASU they cannot leave for any reason.
  - ASU companions must follow the same safe at home guidelines as surgery patients for 7 days prior to surgery.
- Harris Labor & Delivery patients will be allowed two support persons. Once baby has been delivered, 1 person may stay with patient overnight.
- NICU: No siblings under the age of 12 visitation allowed. Masks are required for all entry to the NICU.

All persons regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask at all times.

Visiting hours will be limited to 9am-4:30pm. If deemed appropriate, some visitors may be allowed to stay overnight for patients needing extensive assistance or support. All persons regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask at all times.

Special/Extenuating Circumstances

Visitors may be allowed to visit loved ones who are gravely ill, but will be asked to wear a mask while in the building. Visitors with signs/symptoms of respiratory illness will not be permitted to visit under this exception. Visitors may be allowed when their presence is essential to the patient’s emotional well-being, but will be asked to wear a mask while in the building. Visitors with signs/symptoms of respiratory illness will not be permitted to visit under this exception.

We know that these increased precautions may seem concerning. We do not want to cause alarm – but we do want to send a clear message to our community that we are prepared, responding appropriately and are committed to protecting the well-being of our patients, visitors, employees and community.

These increased safety measures do NOT mean that you cannot access the hospital or your providers. Please seek medical care as needed. And if you are concerned you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call your provider in advance of going to his or her office. Of course, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Harris Regional Hospital values the trust our community places in us, and we appreciate your understanding as we shift our visitation policies during this time.

Mask Guidelines:

Harris Regional Hospital is taking every precaution to keep our patients and staff safe, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. For this reason, we are following the CDC recommendation that anyone who enters our facility must wear a face mask at all times.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mask from home to help conserve hospital supplies for patients and staff.

Why wear a mask?

Recent studies show that universal masking, in addition to practicing social distancing and proper hand hygiene, can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially in individuals who may not know they are ill. And until there is a vaccine, these measures are our best line of defense in protecting not only you, but also our healthcare workers and community members.

Please be smart and do your part. Wear a mask! We all have a responsibility to protect one another against the spread of COVID-19 and make our communities healthier.

For more information from the CDC on face coverings and how to make your own, click here.

To learn more about the many ways we are working to ensure your safety while you are in our care, click here.

Telehealth Now Available:

Patients can request a telehealth visit by calling their provider’s office, just as they would for an in-person visit. The provider will determine if a telehealth visit is appropriate based on the patient’s health condition. If the virtual visit is deemed clinically appropriate, the patient will be given an appointment time and instructions for the best way to connect given the available platforms.

A few restrictions on telephonic visits may apply, including that they cannot be utilized to treat patients for a condition that the patient has been seen for in the previous seven days, and they cannot be used to treat a condition that the patient is already coming in for within the next 24 hours.

Patients who are concerned they may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to consider telemedicine appointments to help further reduce the spread of respiratory illness. Leveraging telemedicine also conserves personal protective equipment (PPE) and other clinical resources that are needed when treating a patient with suspected COVID-19 in the clinic or hospital setting.

Antibody testing:

Harris Regional Hospital can perform the antibody testing using the Abbott Architect.

According to the CDC, Antibody tests check your blood by looking for antibodies, which can show if you had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies are proteins that help fight off infections and usually provide protection against getting that disease again (immunity). Antibodies are disease specific. For example, measles antibody will protect a person who is exposed again to measles but will have no effect if the person is exposed to mumps.

Depending on when someone was infected and the timing of the test, the test may not find antibodies in someone with a current COVID-19 infection. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose COVID-19. To see if you are currently infected, you need a viral test. Viral tests identify the virus in samples from your respiratory system, such as swabs from the inside of your nose.

Testing can only be performed with a doctor's order.

Quick Links

Below are a number of resources to help educate you and your family on COVID-19.
For more information on the virus, please contact the Jackson County Department of Public Health.