In St. Claire HealthCare’s continued efforts to protect their patients, staff, and community, St. Claire Regional Medical Center will only allow hospitalized patients to receive essential visitors effective Saturday, April 4, 2020.
“We understand you want to see your loved ones who have been hospitalized, but we ask that you please stay home,” said Donald H. Lloyd, II, SCH President/CEO. “As difficult as it is for us to turn visitors away, it’s our responsibility to protect our community during this pandemic.”
While this action may seem extreme, hospitals across the nation are suspending visitation to protect their patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19.
Essential visitors are limited to a parent or guardian of a pediatric patient or person with altered mental status. One support person will be permitted to accompany a patient in labor. All essential visitors will be screened at the hospital’s main entrance. Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, will not be permitted to enter the building.
“Compassionate care considerations may be reviewed in limited circumstances,” Lloyd added.
To further reduce non-essential traffic, the retail pharmacy located on the first floor of the hospital has temporarily relocated to the St. Claire Medical Pavilion at 245 Flemingsburg Road. All prescription information has been transferred to the new location. The pharmacy will be open Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM, and 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday. For assistance, please call 780.5550.
Access to the hospital for business-related items, including medical records and financial services, has also been restricted until further notice. For assistance with medical records, please call 783.6570 or email healthrecords@st-claire.org.
Patients who have questions about a bill or would like to make a payment by phone can call 783.6554. Payments can also be made online at http://www.st-claire.org/billpay
“We want to be clear that we are still taking care of patients,” said Lloyd. “While COVID-19 may be changing the way we operate, St. Claire HealthCare is still open and caring for patients every day. Our emergency department is accepting patients 24/7 and our family medicine, behavioral health, and specialty practices are also open and caring for patients Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.”
St. Claire HealthCare is offering multiple options for patients to receive the medical care they need. Patients can continue to see their healthcare providers in-person, or those who aren’t comfortable being seen in-person during this time, can schedule virtual appointments.
“Virtual visits offer our patients a secure way to connect with their healthcare provider from the safety of their homes through a smartphone, tablet or computer,” said Lloyd. “Beginning Monday, even our patients who don’t have a device or internet access can take advantage of virtual visits with a new drive-thru option outside the St. Claire Medical Pavilion.”
To request an in-person or virtual appointment, call 606.784.6641 or visit http://www.st-claire.org/appointment
For the latest updates St. Claire HealthCare’s COVID-19 response, visit http://www.st-claire.org/covid-19
(provided by St. Claire HealthCare)
