HMH implements new temporary visitation guidelines
Precautionary actions taken to create an even safer environment
Elizabethtown, Ky. (March 13, 2020) – Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) is closely monitoring the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. To protect patients, as well as the staff and the community and in an abundance of caution, HMH made temporary changes to visitation guidelines.
First, two (2) adult, healthy visitors over age 18 per patient at a time can visit patients in medical/surgical adult units. Critical Care (CCU) and Intensive Care (ICU) Units will allow one (1) visitor per patient over the age of 18. Palliative, Emergent and Hospice Care will allow (2) adult, healthy visitors over age 18 and clergy for family support. Visitation to HMH’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and BirthPlace will be limited to one (1) visitor per patient over the age of 18 per hospitalization. All visitors must be free of fever, cough, runny noses or other respiratory symptoms.
Following the Kentucky Department of Public Health’s (KDPH) recommendation, visitors will not be permitted in our skilled nursing unit, which functions like a long-term care facility. We will also temporarily suspend all outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs on the HMH main campus.
All other HMH offices and locations are open and following standard operating procedures to care for patients. If you have questions about a previously scheduled outpatient visit, call your provider. HMH will created a flu/COVID-19 patient hotline soon.
HMH split the flow of patients presenting for emergency care from those entering for other reasons to make registration easier. Emergency Patients should enter through the normal entrance.
Visitors and those receiving outpatient services will enter through the Main Registration/Patient Pick-Up Entrance located at the front of the building (off Dixie Avenue); at the HMH North Tower (near Layman Lane); or in the back of the facility at the usual HMH Diagnostics and Imaging Center (near Woodland Drive). Signage will direct outpatients and visitors to appropriate entrance locations. You can find an updated HMH main campus map at baptisthealth.com/hardin.
Finally, all visitors will be screened at entrances for fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms. Those identified to have symptoms will not be permitted to visit. Anyone who has traveled to a high-risk area for COVID-19 or had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 will also not be allowed to visit hospital patients.
“We are well prepared to handle this COVID-19 situation and to care for all patients when they present at our hospital. These temporary guidelines will help create an even safer environment for them, for our team and for visitors”, said John Godfrey, M.D., HMH Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.
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