Your Health, Our Heroes

Visitor Guidance

We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for our patients. Effective March 5, 2021, we are easing our support person policy as follows:

Outpatients
Two visitors are allowed. Visitors may use the waiting areas.
Inpatients (Non-COVID Patients)
Visiting Hours: 5:30am-7:30pm
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
Critical Care
Visiting Hours: 10:00am-12:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
ER
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
Pediatric Patients
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
Women’s Center Patients
Two visitors total are allowed at a time. If a doula is being utilized, the doula will count as a visitor. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
All visitors must be 12 years of age or older.
Visitors are allowed to eat in the cafeteria but should return to the patient’s room following the meal.
Visitors must wear a mask at all times while in the facility. Visitors must provide their own mask.
Visitors are NOT allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.
Pre-Admission testing patients and outpatient procedure patients will be permitted two visitors.

COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution

NAMC and the Lauderdale County Commission are partnering to provide COVID-19 vaccines. Mobile vaccination clinics will be held:

Thursday, April 22 – Joe Wheeler State Park, 11am-6pm
Friday, April 23 – Joe Wheeler State Park, 11am-6pm
Monday, April 26 – Cornerstone Church, 1pm-4:30pm
Tuesday, April 27 – Joe Wheeler State Park, 8am-Supply is depleted
Wednesday, April 28 – Joe Wheeler State Park & Cornerstone Church, 8am-Supply is depleted
Thursday, April 29 – Joe Wheeler State Park & Cornerstone Church, 8am-Supply is depleted
Friday, April 30 – Joe Wheeler State Park & Cornerstone Church, 8am-Supply is depleted

COVID vaccine mobile clinic

The clinic is open to members of the public who are part of phase 1C. Please bring your ID. The clinic starts at 8:00 am and will continue until the daily supply is depleted.

More mobile vaccinations clinics will be scheduled throughout April and May. Keep an eye on our social media for all updates regarding the clinics.

COVID-19 Vaccination Q&A

We know there are a lot of questions about the emerging COVID-19 vaccines. Our goal is to keep you informed as vaccines are approved and rolled out for our workforce, patients and community in the weeks ahead.

Check out this list of of common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines based on current knowledge and understanding. These questions will continue to evolve with time, so we encourage you to check back frequently for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

A Message from our CEO

Visitor Guidance

Outpatients
Two visitors are allowed. Visitors may use the waiting areas.
Inpatients (Non-COVID Patients)
Visiting Hours: 5:30am-7:30pm
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
Critical Care
Visiting Hours: 10:00am-12:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
ER
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
Pediatric Patients
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
Women’s Center Patients
Two visitors are allowed at a time. Visitors are allowed to reasonably swap out as needed.
All visitors must be 12 years of age or older.
Visitors are allowed to eat in the cafeteria but should return to the patient’s room following the meal.
Visitors must wear a mask at all times while in the facility. Visitors must provide their own mask.
Visitors are NOT allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.
Pre-Admission testing patients and outpatient procedure patients will be permitted two visitors.

Vaccine infographic

COVID infographic

Your Health and Safety Remain Our #1 Priority

Frequently Asked Questions for Patients

Is the hospital clean and safe?

Our hospital is clean and safe — just like it always has been! One of the core elements of properly managing infectious diseases is the cleanliness of our physical facility. We partner with a national environmental services vendor to keep our hospital current on the most effective cleaning and disinfection protocols available in healthcare today. We clean ALL equipment, reception and waiting areas, restrooms, chairs, door handles, carts, call systems, TV remotes, telephones throughout all departments of the hospital and other hard surfaces regularly through the day before applying an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant. Our environmental services team thoroughly cleans and disinfects all surfaces when a patient is discharged from a surgical suite or patient room. The air systems are inspected, tested and serviced on a regular basis by our qualified technicians. We provide proper air exchanges in accordance with all healthcare regulations.

Do you have the supplies and capacity to accommodate my procedure?

Our clinical team will conduct a daily “go/no-go” meeting in which they will review crucial supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE), medications, blood, space and staffing to ensure that we have enough to comfortably care for those undergoing elective/non-urgent procedures AND accommodate our normal emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.

We are not booking our schedules to full capacity. Out of an abundance of caution and with the conservation of supplies in mind, we are not starting with a full schedule right away. Should things continue to progress positively, we’ll increase our capacity on a week-by-week basis. This is for your safety and ours.

Do you have enough staff to resume elective/non-urgent procedures?

Our team regularly monitors staffing levels to ensure a safe environment for all patients, providers and employees. In addition, we screen all employees daily for COVID-19 symptoms. We are confident that we have the appropriate staff and providers to resume elective and non-urgent procedures while also accommodating our normal emergency care and potential COVID-19 patients.

Will my experience be the same as in the past?

Your experience in our facility may look a little different than in the past, but this is because we have new processes and procedures in place to further protect your health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What should I expect during my procedure?

Upon arrival at the facility, you will be asked the same standard screening questions and provided with a mask (if you do not already have one). If you have your own mask or bandana to cover your mouth and nose, you can wear that.

We have transitioned to limited visitor restrictions. Surgery patients are allowed one (1) WELL family member/spouse/friend/caregiver to enter the hospital. They will be able to stay with you during registration and until the start of your surgical procedure. Once the surgery begins, we will ask your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver with you to wait in their car until your procedure is complete. When you arrive, you will park and enter through the ER entrance of the hospital. We will gather the contact information (name and phone number) of your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver with you upon arrival. We collect this information so we can follow up with them to provide an update after your procedure and the surgery staff share post-operative instructions as well as letting them know to pick you up at the same location you arrived.

You may not see another patient while you are here. We are currently trying to minimize patient encounters from overlapping in an effort to promote social distancing, conserve resources, and protect the safety of all of our patients and employees.

You are going to be asked COVID-19 screening questions multiple times by multiple people, up until you are admitted for your procedure. You may get tired of these questions, but we assure you they are for your health and safety, and that of our staff.

You may never see the faces of your care team members under their protective equipment. We do regret this, as the personal connections we have with our patients and community are what keep us going. However, this is an important precaution we are taking to protect you and our clinical staff.

What questions will I be asked during the screening?

The questions are part of our standard COVID-19 screening process and include asking if you have….

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

Whenever you are asked, please answer these screening questions honestly. If your procedure has to be postponed, it will be just that: postponed. It does NOT mean it will be canceled, and we will work with you to reschedule as soon as possible.

How will I prepare for my procedure?

If you are having a surgical procedure, you will be asked to practice “safer at home” behaviors for seven (7) days to minimize potential exposure prior to your procedure. This means going a step further from social distancing — trying only to leave your home for critical needs such as groceries or going to the pharmacy. If you need to leave for an essential purpose, you must wear a mask. You will also be tested for COVID-19 prior to your procedure as an additional precaution.

If you are having an imaging procedure, you will be screened and masked, but not tested for COVID-19.

Will I be tested for COVID-19?

If you are having a surgical procedure, you will be tested for COVID-19 prior to your procedure. Your provider will contact the surgery department to schedule your surgery, send any pre-admission surgical testing orders and place the order for the COVID-19 test. Your surgeon’s office will then let you know your surgery date along with the date(s), time(s) and location(s) for obtaining your COVID-19 test and pre-admission surgical testing. It is likely your COVID-19 test and pre-admission surgical testing will be on different dates and in a different location. All patients undergoing surgery complete pre-admission surgical testing either by phone or in-person. If your COVID-19 test happens to be positive your surgeon or a representative from the surgeon’s office will notify you, inform you that your procedure will be postponed, and provide you with instructions related to your care. If you are having an imaging procedure, you will be screened and masked, but not tested for COVID-19.

Can my family member/spouse/friend/caregiver come with me to the facility?

Yes, we have transitioned to limited visitor restrictions. Surgery patients are allowed one (1) WELL family member/spouse/friend/caregiver to enter the hospital. They will be able to stay with you during registration and until the start of your surgical procedure. Once the surgery begins, we will ask your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver with you to wait in their car until your procedure is complete. When you arrive, you will park and enter through the ER entrance of the hospital. We will gather the contact information (name and phone number) of your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver with you upon arrival. We collect this information so we can follow up with them to provide an update after your procedure and the surgery staff share post-operative instructions as well as letting them know to pick you up at the same location you arrived.

What happens when I arrive for my procedure?

When you arrive at the facility, you will be asked the same standard screening questions and provided with a mask (if you do not already have one). If you have your own mask or bandana to cover your mouth and nose, you can wear that.

Will I be treated near COVID-19 patients?

We are not performing elective/non-urgent procedures on COVID-19 positive patients at this time.

All patients who test positive for an infectious disease, including COVID-19, are isolated for treatment in accordance with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and CDC guidelines.

If I have additional questions about my procedure, who should I contact?

If you have any questions, please call our team at (256) 629-1000