PARIS, TN – As Henry County and HCMC continue to see increased numbers of active COVID-19 cases in the county and in the hospital, we continue to want to educate our community on any changes or updates we have regarding visitation, testing, and policy changes within the organization that will affect our patients, family, and community.

Effective Monday, August 3, patients who are having surgery at HCMC can now have one person accompany them inside the organization and wait in the waiting room until the patient’s inpatient surgery is completed and her or she has spoken to the physician or until the patient is discharged from outpatient surgery. We know that it can often be difficult for patients to comprehend all the discharge information provided right after surgery, and a support person or care person becomes necessary to provide best care. This person must be masked and follow all guidelines at HCMC.

As of yesterday, Sunday, August 2, Henry County has 143 active positive cases. As this uptick continues, HCMC will open a dedicated COVID-19 unit on the former 2 East floor, now known as our Progressive Care Unit. This will help us to provide the most appropriate care for our patients who are admitted with COVID-19. We will continue to use CCU and 3^rd Tower as needed for our COVID-19 patients.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, please notify your primary care provider or make an appointment with the Henry County Health Department during their testing times of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Just a reminder, that if you do seek testing, you need to receive a referral from your primary care provider to have testing completed at HCMC. If you elect to go through the Emergency Department, you will be seen as an Emergency Room patient. If you come through as an outpatient receiving the test, you will park in the ED parking lot, call 731-644-8444 upon arrival to be met in the parking lot by a registration clerk and lab personnel to administer the collection for testing. Collection is sent off for results and you will need to allow 3 to 10 days for results because turnaround times are dependent upon the processing labs being utilized. Positive results will be called to your primary care provider who referred you to us to testing.

If you want to request your medical records during this time, you must call the Health Information Management Department at 731-644-8432 and set up an appointment for pick up. You will park in the Emergency Department Parking lot and call HIM and someone will come to the blue awning next to the Emergency Room to provide you the records. You must bring a driver’s license or a form of identification to pick up the records as well as be prepared to sign and fill out appropriate paperwork. The hours of operation for Health Information Management are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your records can also be obtained through the patient portal on our website located here:

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.

HCMC is also collaborating with city and county government as well as the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce in the #MaskUpHC campaign, which is encouraging our community to wear masks, social distance, and practice good hand hygiene. As part of this campaign, 10,000 Henry County branded masks will be distributed throughout the community. Both Eagle Creek Clinic and Paris Pediatrics will be two locations with these masks available while supplies last. The masks should be available starting Thursday, August 6.

For clarification, HCMC and its medical clinics are requiring face masks for those 2 years old and above based on CDC recommendations. This requirement is different than the Henry County masking requirement, so please note this when visiting our organizations and be prepared with a mask.

As schedules and policies continue to change, HCMC will keep patients informed through our website, www.hcmc-tn.org and on our social media platforms.

HCMC continues to update daily our chart on our website that provides information on testing, hospitalizations, and deaths within our organization. It can be found at www.hcmc-tn.org. We are additionally posting on our social media platforms a daily update that provides information about COVID-19 at HCMC, TN, KY, the counties our organization serves, as well as statistics from the Henry County Health Department. Both will be updated and available by 6 p.m. daily.

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 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.