PARIS, TN – Henry County Medical Center is closely monitoring the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and has been preparing the organization for the potential arrival of patients with COVID-19. Our goal is to protect our patients, visitors, and staff and ensure that our staff is trained, equipped, and ready to provide care to all patients.

In an abundance of caution, we have activated the appropriate infection control protocols throughout the organization until further notice to protect patients, as well as the staff and the community. Additional cleaning and sanitizing is occurring. Education for all visitors is posted throughout all our facilities. All visitors are asked to avoid visiting if they have symptoms of a respiratory infection. This will be continuously monitored with the possibility of restricting visitation with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in our community and organization.

Our current visitation policy as of 3/11/2020:

When visiting, remember to wash your hands with soap and water when entering and leaving patient rooms. Those with fever, runny nose, body aches, or respiratory symptoms should not visit.
Women’s Center (OB Unit): Parents, grandparents, and siblings without a fever or runny nose will be allowed to visit. We ask to keep the number of visitors to two at a time.
All Other Adult Units (non-maternity): Patients in CCU and Medical/Surgical patients will be allowed up to two visitors at a time from immediate family.
Clergy: We respectfully welcome clergy for patient support along with immediate family members only.
For food orders from outside restaurants or through delivery services, we ask that you meet delivery personnel in the lobby of the floor or building to limit any unnecessary exposure to illnesses.
Henry County Healthcare Center: visitation will be restricted to immediate family members. We ask to keep the number of visitors to two at a time. All outside groups and activities will be canceled at this time.

If you believe you meet the criteria for the coronavirus including having the symptoms, traveling outside the United States or in the domestic hot spots associated with COVID – 19, please call your primary care provider to arrange for medical evaluation and testing. If you present to our Emergency Department without a provider order for testing, you will be registered as an ER patient and be treated and charged as an ER patient, as well as masked and isolated. If you have an order for testing from your provider, you will be instructed to park in the ER parking lot and a nurse will come out and do the testing through our outpatient lab services.

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.

What is HCMC doing to prepare for and handle patients with COVID-19:

HCMC follows all guidelines from the CDC to identify and isolate any patients who might be infectious so that unnecessary exposure of patients, visitors and team members is prevented. If we suspect a patient may be sick with COVID-19, we place him or her in one of our specially equipped negative pressure rooms that are designed to isolate the infectious risk from the rest of the hospital. Anyone entering an isolation room will wear personal protective equipment that includes gloves, gowns, respiratory protection and eye protection.

HCMC is making every effort to educate and inform the public on ways to remain healthy through our website and our social media outlets, including specifically rigorous and frequent handwashing. Please check back often for updates including a section dedicated to COVID-19. Additionally, please consider attending our Community Pop Up Forum at Sweet Jordan’s on Thursday, March 12 at 3:30 p.m. or watch it Live on Facebook. A video will also be available after the event to educate the public.

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 8 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.