Coronavirus Information

El Campo Memorial Hospital Corona Virus Update and Information

“The most important thing you can do is to stay home and away from others right now, just stay put," stated Donna Mikeska, El Campo Memorial Hospital Marketing. Our community needs to make a big effort to help stop the spread of this virus into our community. If people would stay at home, stay away from large crowds and create a buffer between each other this virus will decline. Each and every citizen in our community has a responsibility to help control the outcome of this outbreak with social distancing and good hygiene practices.

To be tested for this virus there are criteria that must be met. If a patient is symptomatic (fever, chills, cough, etc) they should call their physician and discuss the problems they are having. The Physician will direct them through the proper channels, whether that be to go home and quarantine themselves, come in for a physician appointment or report to an emergency department or hospital for further diagnostic testing.

If a patient’s physician requests or refers them to have a test, the patient should NOT come to the ER for testing. Instead, have their physician call the hospital (administration or lab) to make arrangements for someone to test the person outside in our tented area in order to handle possible exposure. Also, only patients meeting their physician's criteria for testing will be tested. The patient should then quarantine themselves until the results are in.

At this time, the hospital does not do public testing. The hospital can however test those patients that are in severe distress and/or have severe symptoms. Only after a patient has contacted their physician and the physician has deemed the testing appropriate and they have met the criteria for their condition will a patient be tested.

El Campo Memorial Hospital has reached out to Andy Kirkland, EMC, Wharton County OEM and inquired and offered to assist in the possible public testing sites. It was noted that the possible testing sites should not be near a healthcare setting to avoid clogging the system and/or compromising the healthcare setting. To date the hospital has not been notified of any progress on a possible public testing site.

According to the CDC social distancing is the best policy, self-quarantine if you suspect that you are symptomatic and call your physician for guidance, patients with respiratory distress, pneumonia, etc. should continue coming to our physician clinics or ER if they are in severe distress where they will be appropriately screened.

CDC Guidelines for the Corona Virus

Know How it Spreads
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Take steps to protect yourself
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. * Learn what to do if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. * This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Temporary Plans to Our Daily Operations

El Campo Memorial Hospital has put into action temporary plans to our daily operations. These efforts are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our community. Below are the new guidelines for visitor and patients at our facilities.

Emergency Department Entrance for ER Patients Only - All others please Use the Front Door
All patients and visitors entering the hospital are subject to screening.
Dining Room will be CLOSED to the public until further notice.
VISITORS: Please register at the front reception desk if visiting patients or seeking other services.
PATIENT VISITORS: We are currently allowing one visitor at a time and visitor must be 18 years or older and only up to 2 Visitors per 24 hours - Visitors must stop at the front desk to check in.
VISTING HOURS: Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. The front hospital doors will be locked at 5:00 p.m. – NO visitors after 5:00 p.m.
Medical appointments – if you or someone in your care is symptomatic (cough, sore throat or fever please call your medical provider in advance and notify them of your condition prior to arriving.
THERAPY PATIENTS No visitors during your therapy appointment. Children 17 and under are allowed one guardian.
NOTICE TO THERAPY PATIENTS If you think you're symptomatic, if you feel ill, cough, sore throat, fever please postpone your visit for a later date (Therapy Department 979-578-5214).
Hospital Main: 979-543-6251 Clinic: 979-543-5510
Please practice caution at all times as not to put you or others at risk.
All physicians, including outside physicians should call ahead before sending any symptomatic patient to the hospital or to one of our clinics.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same.
If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away or into your elbow area.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

It is also suggested to practice "social distancing," which means staying away from other people, avoiding crowds and minimizing physical contact so that you do not spread illness. This means currently avoiding mass gatherings, skipping the usual handshake, and remaining six feet away from others.

See the CDC and DSHS websites below for how to prepare and help prevent the spread of COVID 19.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/