HMH establishes temporary respiratory clinic for potential COVID-19 patients
Patients referred to clinic based on respiratory symptoms
Elizabethtown, Ky. (March 22, 2020) –To protect patients, as well as staff and the community, HMH has created a temporary, centralized respiratory clinic to provide specialized care to referred patients with respiratory symptoms. The HMH Temporary Respiratory Clinic saw its first patient on Friday, March 20.
“The HMH Medical Group set up a temporary, pop-up clinic to address the potential influx of respiratory patients related to COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses,” said Thomas Hustead, M.D., Medical Director for HMH Medical Group. “We want to provide the best care possible without overwhelming hospital functions. I cannot say thank you enough to the physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses and staff who are working to care for clinic patients during these unprecedented times.”
As of today, the respiratory clinic, located at 1004 Woodland Drive, will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The space has been specially outfitted as a “drive thru” for referred patients experiencing respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath. While isolated in their car, the patient will be registered, triaged, tested and seen by a physician or advanced practice clinician. In most cases, patients will be treated the same day as their referral.
Due to potentially high volumes, the clinic is only available to patients referred by an area physician or advanced practice clinician or via the HMH Patient Symptom Hotline, (270) 979- 7777.
Patients experiencing respiratory symptoms are encouraged to call the HMH Patient Symptom Hotline, also open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nurses will field questions and direct patients to the appropriate level of care. Hotline use should be limited to those with symptoms or those with a loved one experiencing symptoms, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, please seek reliable, up-to-date, information.
Recommended sources are:
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services – kycovid19.ky.gov or Public Hotline: 1- 800-722-5725
- Lincoln Trail District Health Department – ltdhd.org
- Hardin Memorial Health – hmh.net or Patient Symptom Hotline: (270) 979-7777
About HMH
HMH is an integrated system of providers and facilities serving approximately 400,000 residents in 10 Central Kentucky counties (Hardin, LaRue, Meade, Breckinridge, Grayson, Nelson, Hart, Bullitt, Green and Taylor). The 300-bed hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky includes 270 acute care, 15 psychiatric and 15 skilled nursing beds. Additionally, HMH includes 50+ outpatient facilities across the service area including a Cancer Care Center and Outpatient Surgical Center. There are over 445 physicians and advanced practice clinicians in over 40 specialties and primary care including Hospitalists available 24/7, Emergency and Urgent Care; Cancer, Cardiac, Rehab and Therapy Services; Medical and Surgical Services; Pulmonary Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Ear, Nose and Throat, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics including a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatrics. With 2,700 employees and an active volunteer corps of 140, Hardin Memorial Hospital is the third largest employer in Hardin County.
Media Contact
Megan Blaney, Heartland Communication Consultants (631) 431-3011 megan@heartlandcommunicate.com