HMH begins third phase of reopening healthcare services, updates visitor guidelines
On May 13, 2020 -- Harrison Memorial Hospital begins the third phase of reopening healthcare services, which includes elective inpatient surgeries at 50 percent of pre-COVID-19 shutdown volume. The opening of elective inpatient surgeries is consistent with the guidelines set by the Kentucky Department of Public Health.
HMH wants to alleviate concerns the public may have, as they begin to receive preventive and elective care. The safety of our community has been our highest priority for 114 years, and COVID-19 has not changed our commitment.
To keep all who enter our facilities safe, HMH has the following precautions in place:
- Screening patients, visitors and vendors prior to entering the building, which includes temperature checks;
- Screening and temperature checks for all staff and physicians;
- Requiring all individuals within the facility to wear masks;
- Rearrangement of all clinic and waiting areas for appropriate social distancing.
Patients undergoing elective, invasive procedures will require a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to the procedure for their protection and the protection of the staff and other patients. HMH will contact you regarding this testing prior to the procedure. If the COVID-19 test is longer than 72 hours prior to the scheduled procedure, patients must agree to self-isolate between the test and the procedure. The patient’s COVID-19 test cannot be longer than 96 hours prior to procedure.
As HMH moves into the next phase, we want to reiterate that we have secured sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely care for all patient needs.
In addition to the opening of the third phase of healthcare services, HMH has updated visitor guidelines set by the Kentucky Department of Public Health. Beginning on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, any patient may have ONE HEALTHY VISITOR with them during his or her visit at Harrison Memorial Hospital. The new visitor guidelines also apply to the HMH Physician Group Clinics; HMH Outpatient Services in Carlisle and HMH Clinic in Falmouth.
All who enter those areas will continue to be screened for COVID-19 and will need to remain in a mask during their visit. Visitors are permitted to wear a cloth or procedural mask. Please note that if waiting areas are at full social distancing capacity, a patient may be asked to wait in his or her car until space is available. Also, while in the areas, please remember to limit travel and interactions, perform frequent hand hygiene, and keep a mask on during the entire stay.
HMH is also a PūrHospital®, which means HMH has installed a system called Pūrgenix® throughout the hospital. The Pūrgenix® technology uses ultraviolet light to deactivate or kill airborne bacteria and viruses. The system was installed in the hospital’s air-handling units in 2017. The HMH Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technicians complete daily terminal cleaning and will continue to complete daily terminal cleaning on every surface in both clinic and public spaces using anti-microbial disinfectant. Terminal cleaning includes removing all detachable objects in the room, cleaning lighting and air duct surfaces in the ceiling, and cleaning all surfaces and objects downward to the floor. In addition, HMH will clean after each patient.
“As we move forward, HMH wants to remind people in our communities that HMH is safe and we have protocols in place for the COVID-19 crisis. We are also diligently following the guidelines set by the Kentucky Department of Health,” said Sheila Currans, HMH Chief Executive Officer. “We want to remind you to not delay or avoid medical care. We know that the outcome for a patient is far better, if the patient is treated before an issue becomes emergent.”