• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Close Search

How can we help you?

I want to...
Select an Option
  • Find A Provider
  • Find A Location
  • Pay My Bill
  • View Patients & Visitors Information
  • Find a Job
  • Contact Hamilton Health
Search by keyword

Hamilton Health Care System

  • 706.272.6000
  • Find A Provider
  • Services
  • Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
  • Health Library
  • Careers
  • About
  • Bill Pay
  • News Center
  • Patient Portal • Records
  • Event Calendar
  • Hamilton Physician Group
    Home
  • Archives for coronavirus

coronavirus

COVID-19: What You Need to Know

July 9, 2020
Visitor Restrictions

Visitation Guidelines
COVID-19 Test Results Data

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you have a fever or any kind of respiratory difficulty such as coughing or shortness of breath, call your health care provider and explain your symptoms over the phone before going to the doctor’s office, urgent care facility or emergency room. Hamilton’s Emergency Department number is 706.272.6158.

COVID-19 Symptom Self-Check

Over the phone, be sure to communicate about any travel outside the country in the last 14 days. Also, be sure to inform your healthcare provider if you suspect you have been close (within 6 feet) of someone who has COVID-19 for an extended period. Your health care provider or the emergency room team will recommend next steps.

If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know about your symptoms and recent travel history.

What is Hamilton Medical Center doing to prepare for a possible outbreak of COVID-19?

How can you help keep yourself healthy?

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Stay at home when sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

For more updates on COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus
https://www.who.int/

Filed Under: Community, Health & Wellness, News, Public Notices Tagged With: cdc, coronavirus, covid-19

COVID-19 Update

March 31, 2020

I'm fighting for you!Hamilton Medical Center, along with the full Hamilton Health Care System, is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, friends, family, neighbors, and industry as we work together to provide the best care for our community and work to slow the spread of COVID-19. As is happening around the country, our community is seeing an increase in  the number of COVID-19 positive and presumed positive cases. While we are hopeful that the numbers in our area will remain as they are, we all know that simply is not the reality. That is why preparation is key, and why it is often difficult to answer questions about the specific numbers of cases – both recovering at home and those who have been admitted to  the hospital. These numbers change, sometimes rapidly, and whatever numbers we see now, we know those will surely increase day-by-day and moment-by-moment. What does not change is that COVID-19 will continue to spread rapidly if we do not all practice social distancing guidelines. That includes the assumption that being out in public around others will continue to result in exposures.

 

Tests completed and results received are updated daily on our website: HERE. Please remember, these are only tests from Hamilton Medical Center. It does not include other entities in the area that may be testing. Please see the Common COVID-19 Questions sheet for more information.

 

Hamilton VentilatorsOther questions we have received relate to the number of ventilators on hand and whether we have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Hamilton has been preparing  for expected needs and we currently have 35 critical care ventilators. (Hamilton would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Dalton State College for loaning three ventilators for Hamilton’s use while their students are away from campus.) Hamilton is planning for the long term. That means that despite our best efforts (or any health system’s best efforts), if there is not a focused and determined effort by each and every person in the community to follow social distancing guidelines at all times, no amount of preparation could handle the modeled/projected peak that would result in a higher number of cases. We are extremely grateful to industry leaders and community leaders who have donated PPE or are looking at creative ways to manufacture this equipment and other supplies to get us through an influx of COVID-19 patients. PPE and supplies must continue to be used responsibly, following CDC guidelines, as well as established protocols by Emory and others with science to support means and material of use and limiting exposure. This is how we prepare for not just the cases today, but also what might come tomorrow, next week and next month, and maybe even longer. However, no amount of preparation can ready any health system for the significant spike in cases that would result without social distancing guidelines being followed. In short, yes, we have PPE now. We might not always have enough if we are not all following social distancing guidelines and proper PPE use established by CDC guidelines and other reputable sources.

 

Other consistent questions we are receiving are about the number of cases in the hospital. As mentioned previously, this number changes rapidly. Also, to provide a number of COVID-19 cases in the hospital would not provide an accurate picture to the public. There have been six confirmed positives from tests conducted at Hamilton. Not all of these have required the level of care to necessitate a hospital admission. Also, this does not account for the number of patients who have been tested and are considered presumed positive because results are not yet returned. Finally, it is also impossible to know how many people in our community who are self-quarantining and may have mild to moderate symptoms that did not require medical treatment or testing. In short, providing a number of cases hospitalized would give an extremely false hope that there might not be reason for the community to be concerned. That would be irresponsible. We expect an increase in cases over the next week to two weeks, and possibly longer. We also know that if people are out and about rather than staying home, that number will increase dramatically.

 

What we would like the community to know is how Hamilton is preparing for COVID-19 cases. Hamilton is cohorting patients from the time they enter the Emergency Department. We have devoted care areas and devoted care teams for suspected COVID-19 patients. If someone is determined to need to be admitted, and he or she is suspected of having COVID-19, admission is to a designated COVID-19 treatment area. Whether needing intensive care in our Medical Intensive Care Unit or needing hospital care on a regular floor, Hamilton has specific areas where these patients are treated.

 

STOP-no-visitors-coronavirusFinally, Hamilton would like to remind our community about our no visitor policy. Of course, there are extraordinary circumstances, but we are grateful for the understanding expressed by families that we are doing all we can to protect them and keep them safe as we care for their loved ones. Additionally, we screen every associate and provider at the beginning of each shift, including checking temperature for fever. Any associate who has a fever greater than 100.4 is further screened and sent for testing as medically necessary, following quarantine guidelines as appropriate. Just as with our associates, if there is an extraordinary circumstance where a visitor must enter the hospital, we screen for fever and symptoms as well.

 

In sum, the Hamilton family is doing all we can to protect your family. Whether it is additional ventilators, designated treatment rooms, following appropriate PPE guidelines from the CDC,  or simply caring for our staff and visitors by screening, we are here to serve you. Our service to our community also includes encouraging each and every person to do his/her part. Please follow social distancing guidelines and good hand hygiene. Please don’t overload the emergency room with non-emergency needs. Hamilton Convenient Care locations are available with extended hours, and some of our Hamilton Physician Group primary Care clinics are offering tele-health visits to established patients. There simply cannot be enough said about the dedication and hard work of the front-line staff, facilities, infectious disease, and the entire Hamilton family for how they have pulled together to care for the community. It is our honor and privilege to serve you. You are our family. Be safe. Be well. Thank you for all of your support, kind words and prayers. Social distance.

Filed Under: Community, News, Public Notices Tagged With: coronavirus, covid-19, update

Hamilton Medical Center Receives Confirmation of First COVID-19 Case, Increases Restrictions

March 18, 2020

Hamilton Medical Center received confirmation of its first positive test for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Most of the other hospitals in the region have positive cases as well.

This patient is recovering at home and is quarantined according to CDC guidelines. As with other healthcare-related situations, HIPAA prevents us from providing additional information related to the former patient.

Hamilton Health Care System leaders and staff, through a specially designated COVID-19 Task Force, have been meeting daily in preparation for receiving Hamilton’s first confirmed COVID-19 test result. Prior to the development of the Task Force, Hamilton leaders and associates have been putting measures in place to reduce opportunities for exposure and to adapt for operations such as this.

World Health Organization

CDC Website

GA Department of Public Health

As part of a statewide effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, Hamilton has implemented a No Visitors policy beginning today. Similar to what is being done at other hospitals, Hamilton will only allow visitors in certain extraordinary circumstances. During this time, Hamilton is encourage family and friends to utilize alternative forms of communication with their loved ones.

Dr. Lee Connor Hamilton Infectious DiseaseIn addition to tighter visitor restrictions, all employees and providers are being screened as well.

If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed, please contact your primary care provider.

As the Georgia Regional Coordinating Hospital for Region A (northwest Georgia), Hamilton Medical Center has been in regular contact with the Georgia Department of Public Health and other regional and state partners related to the COVID-19 situation. Hamilton will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust policies and procedures as needed.

“Hamilton is asking the community to follow CDC guidelines to protect yourself and those around you by limiting exposure,” said Lee Connor, MD, infectious disease specialist. “Make sure to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, stay home when you’re sick, cover your cough or sneeze, and follow social distancing guidelines.”

 


Follow us on instagram


Filed Under: Community, Health & Wellness, News, Public Notices Tagged With: coronavirus, covid-19

VISITATION RESTRICTIONS

March 16, 2020

Hamilton Medical Center Visitor Policy in Response to COVID-19

visitor restrictions for COVID-19 coronavirus at HamiltonBeginning Monday, March 16, Hamilton Medical Center will further limit visitors at all of its locations in order to protect patients, visitors, and Hamilton staff caring for your loved ones.

The new policy will be in place until the transmission of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is no longer perceived as a threat to patients, staff, and the community.

  • All visitors will be screened and no visitor will be allowed if they have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath). Temperature will be checked to verify no fever.
  • Visitors who have traveled out of the country in affected areas, traveled in communities with widespread COVID-19, or have had a known exposure, will be restricted.
  • Children under age 17 will not be allowed except under extraordinary circumstances.
  • Visitors screened must wear the bracelet provided at screening at all times while on the hospital campus. Visitors must be rescreened each day.
  • Entrances other than the HMC Main Lobby, Emergency Department, and Burkett Lobby (Maternity/Labor & Delivery) will be locked or restricted to authorized staff only.
  • The HMC Main Lobby entrance will be open from 5:00am – 7:00pm, Monday – Friday and 7:00am – 7:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday. ED and Burkett will remain open 24/7.

As the conditions evolve and as the CDC, CMS, DPH, state and federal authorities recommend, visitor restrictions and precautions may change.

For your safety and the protection of our staff, NO visitors with:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

OR those who have traveled (in the last 21 days) to:

  • China
  • Italy
  • South Korea
  • Iran
  • Other areas with known Covid-19 outbreaks

 

Visits limited to essential visitors age 17 and older (immediate family, partner, or significant other).

 

World Health Organization

CDC Website

GA Department of Public Health

Filed Under: Community, Health & Wellness, News, Public Notices Tagged With: coronavirus, covid-19, visitation, visitors

Copyright © 2023 · Hamilton Health on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in