PARIS, TN – With over a 16% vaccination rate among Henry Countians, a closed COVID-19 unit, and reduced positivity rate in Henry County, beginning Monday, March 1, Henry County Medical Center is implementing a more relaxed visitation policy for the organization.

“Thank you to our patients, families, and visitors for your support and understanding of restricted visitation during the peaks of COVID-19,” said Lisa Casteel, CEO of HCMC. “We are excited to announce we have very few to no patients with COVID-19 in the facility and that we are lifting many of the visitation restrictions. Please remember to bring and wear your masks.”

General visitation for HCMC will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Only two visitors are permitted in a patient’s room at a time. In some cases, a friend or family member may stay overnight. This will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to visit unless otherwise noted.

- - Entrance Locations and Hours to HCMC:
    - - Emergency Department Entrance – Open 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

Patient Parking Lot/Bridge Entrance – Open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Front Circle Entrance – Open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; Closed Saturday and Sunday
Visitor Badge, Universal Masking & Temperature Checks: Anyone entering the facility as a patient, support person or visitor of the patient must check in at one of the desks and receive a Visitor Badge and have his/her temperature taken. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees will be asked to leave the facility. Everyone entering the facility must wear a mask and we encourage each person to bring his/her own mask.
Same Day Surgery: Only one visitor will be allowed with a patient. Parent/Caregivers are allowed if the patient is under the age of 18
Lake Haven Behavioral Unit: Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays only.

Other Unit Visitation and Restrictions are as follows:

Emergency Room

Only one support person may be allowed with the patient based on age and condition and must stay in the room.
No children under the age of 13 unless a patient.
Only the one support person allowed in the waiting room. No other visitors allowed.
All visitation policies in the Emergency Room are dependent on if COVID-19 patients are in the area.

Women’s Center

Visiting hours are general visitation hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the following exceptions:

One overnight support person will be allowed with the patient, unless the patient is in labor.
During labor, 2 persons will be allowed. These visitors cannot be interchanged.
After birth of the baby and recovery is completed, 3 visitors at a time will be allowed to visit during visiting hours.
No visitors allowed under 13 years of age with the exception of siblings of the newborn.
No one with sickness will be allowed in the unit unless a patient.
Overnight visitors must remain in the room with the patient from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Special Care Nursery

Only 2 visitors at a time will be allowed at bedside.
No one with sickness will be allowed in the nursery.
Mother and father of the baby can visit at any time.
Mother and father can designate 4 persons who can visit at any time. They can take anyone off of the list if the need arises, but cannot add to the list. These persons will be expected to follow hospital visiting hours.
No visitors under the age of 13.

CCU/PCU Units

Visitation will only be allowed between 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. each day.
Immediate family or support persons only are allowed to visit.
Only 2 visitors per day per patient.
Visitors will not be allowed if COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients are in the unit.
No one under the age of 13 allowed.

Safety protocols put in place regarding care include, but are not limited to:

All individuals entering Henry County Medical Center facilities, including partners and providers, will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms including temperature checks daily.
All individuals entering Henry County Medical Center will be asked to wear a mask. Patients and visitors are asked to bring their own masks.
Six-foot social distances will continue in public areas such as waiting rooms.
Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch, public surface areas will continue.
Infectious patients will continue to be cared for in isolation, away from non-infectious patients.
Surveillance statistics of our community and regional area will be monitored for trends and stability.
Utilization of hospital beds, ventilators, and PPE will be monitored to ensure ability if there is a need.

In addition to safety protocols, Henry County Medical Center remains prepared to cease non-essential procedures in the event a surge or peak of COVID-19 develops in the area.

To remain prepared, HCMC will monitor its supplies and its ability to procure supplies. HCMC will also maintain established guidelines for occupancy availability. We will continually evaluate and monitor to ensure patient safety and surveillance needs. In addition, HCMC will collaborate with the medical staff and the TN Department of Health and the Henry County Health Department to continually evaluate incidences and trends of COVID-19 cases within Henry County and the surrounding area.

The HCMC Iris Café will continue with the current hours of operation:

Breakfast

Monday – Friday………………..7:30 am – 10:15 am

Saturday – Sunday……………..8:00 am – 10:15 am

Lunch

Monday – Friday…………………11:00 am – 1:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday……………..11:00 am – 1:30 p.m.

*grab and go items only from 1:30 pm – 4:30 p.m.

Dinner – Closed

As schedules continue to change, HCMC will keep patients informed through our website, www.hcmc-tn.org and on our social media platforms. Additionally, HCMC continues to provide information on testing, hospitalizations, and deaths within our organization weekly. HCMC Administration continues to follow the CDC guidelines as well as the TN Department of Health guidelines to ensure the safety of our patients, families, partners, and community.

How you can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus:

Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard in a trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care provider. To learn more, go to our website at www.hcmc-tn.org or go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 7 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org