Paris, TN – Two days after what she called the hospital’s “most significant crisis day,” Henry County Medical Center CEO Lisa Casteel provided an update about the impact COVID-19 continues to have on the hospital, as well as the community.

“This week has certainly been crisis mode at Henry County Medical Center,” Casteel said on Friday afternoon. “Wednesday was our most significant crisis day. We incurred 65 ER patients within a short time frame requiring us to shift providers and clinicians from other services to the ER.”

Because of the number of COVID19 inpatients (currently 19 inpatients) and its impact to safety, HCMC has suspended surgeries at the main hospital for a short time for the safety of those surgical patients. However, Casteel said that emergent and urgent surgical cases would be conducted in the hospital as needed. Surgery cases will continue at the Surgery Center.

Surging cases of the virus are not limited to the hospital as area physician and urgent care clinics continue to see so many more patients who are COVID-19 positive. Said Casteel, “I think what everyone needs to understand is that COVID-19 is occupying the majority of services that healthcare has the ability to offer. This means surgeries are on hold as well as routine and annual physician office visits are held pending appointments.”

Casteel is urging the community to be patient with the hospital and its overworked staff as it works through this crisis. And, she encourages everyone to wear masks, social distance, and, most of all, get vaccinated if they haven’t already done so.

“The FDA gave full approval for the Pfizer vaccine this week.” Casteel explained. “Henry County has 42.48% of its population vaccinated with at least one dose. The State of TN is 48.8% vaccinated with at least one dose.”

She also addressed a common question that continues to arise within the community regarding the number of patients that HCMC can treat in its facility. Though the hospital has 80 patient beds, the nursing staff shortage has resulted in 14 unstaffed beds.

“We would need 12 nurses to staff these beds 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Casteel explained, adding that HCMC is actively searching for nursing help and is accepting applications.”

Henry County Medical Center provides daily COVID-19 updates on our website and social media sites. Additionally, HCMC is vaccinating every Friday in September in Classrooms 2 & 3. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., HCMC will offer Moderna and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., we will offer Pfizer. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged by e-mailing kwinston@hcmc-tn.org or by calling 731-336-6155.

Also, HCMC Medical Clinics will offer a drive thru Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination Pod at Central School on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those receiving a vaccine will receive gift cards, a free t-shirt and other goodies at the event.

The Henry County Health Department is also expanding COVID-19 vaccination, offering the following hours:

Mon, Thurs & Fri: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Tuesday & Wednesday: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

For more information, go to www.hcmc-tn.org or call our FindLine at 731-644-3463.

About Henry County Medical Center
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.