Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Visitation Advisory beginning Wednesday, 7/7/2021
TWO healthy visitors will be allowed in our Medical and Surgical Units
with the expectation that the visitors and the patient will be masked
at all times. TWO visitors will be allowed in Labor & Delivery.
Visitor Rules and Guidelines
- Visitors must be 18+.
- All approved visitors will be screened for temperature, respiratory symptoms
and possible exposure upon entry to the hospital.
- Visitors will not be granted access if screening is failed or refused.
- Visitors will be fitted with a screening bracelet, which must be worn at
all times during the visit.
- Visitors are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
- Hand sanitizing will be required upon entry to the facility and at intermittent
locations.
- In the interest of infection control, the visiting of multiple patients
by one person will not be allowed.
- No visitors will be allowed in COVID patient rooms.
Visitation Policies and Procedures
- Visiting hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week in non-critical areas.
- ICU will allow TWO healthy visitors per day for Non-COVID patients only
- ER will allow only one visitor per patient as circumstances permit.
- Surgical procedure visitors may escort the patient to registration and
remain in the designated waiting rooms/lobbies during the patient’s
procedure.
- Outpatient Procedures / Testing - Please avoid bringing visitors with you
for testing, treatment and therapy unless needed. Visitors will be subject
to the screening and protection criteria.
- Women & Children’s Health Services visitation guidelines have
been developed to reflect the unique needs of the population served.
Liability Disclaimer
Though Huntsville Memorial Hospital has taken every known precaution to
reduce the spread of COVID-19, the contagious nature of the coronavirus
means that a possibility remains that you could still contract the virus
while in any public place, including the hospital. Please follow the guidelines
set out by staff and signage to protect yourself and decrease the risk
of exposure. HMH assumes no responsibility should transmission of coronavirus/COVID-19
occur during any visitation of the hospital facility.
Important Ways to Slow the Spread
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
- Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and
water aren’t available.
April 22, 2020
Huntsville Memorial Hospital implemented a policy that requires all of
our staff to wear face masks while at work. Proper PPE will be worn in
isolation rooms, but any homemade or store bought mask will be worn when
not in isolation in order to protect all of our patients.
March 23, 2020
Huntsville Memorial Hospital continues to closely monitor the COVID-19
situation and follow strict protocols. In a press release by the Office
of Emergency Management on 3/22/2020, there is a confirmed positive case
in Walker County. In an attempt to decrease the risk of a community spread,
Huntsville Memorial Hospital will be following several recommended measures
from the CDC and Governor Abbott’s Executive Order to minimize the
risk of spread of this coronavirus infection.
Starting Tuesday, 3/24/2020 at 7am, the front entrance to the hospital
will close and remain closed until further notice. The Emergency Department
entrance will be the entrance for the allowed public and patients. The
hospital will
NOT ALLOW visitors due to the increased risk to our patients and staff. The only
exceptions will be a parent/guardian for our pediatric patients, 1 support
person for our Labor and Delivery patients. Visitor must be 18yrs old
or over. Screening will continue at this entrance.
Our Emergency Department will not be allowing visitors. Family and drivers
of our patients are asked to remain in their vehicle until the patient
is discharged. 1 parent of pediatric patients will be allowed. Extenuating
circumstances will be addressed by our House Supervisor or Administrator on call.
Governor Abbott’s Executive Order dictates that all elective surgeries,
procedures, therapies and tests be postponed until 11:59 pm on April 21,
2020. Our physicians have been informed that only urgent surgeries, procedures,
therapies and tests will be performed. Our staff will notify patients
if their procedures have been delayed.
We are asking that all visitors with exposure stay away from the hospital.
If you do not have symptoms, please do not come to the Emergency Department
to be tested because our resources are stretched. Anyone needing emergency
services may continue to come seeking healthcare.
AHA-AMA-ANA Urge Americans to stay home to combat COVID-19
Useful Links:
CDC website
Texas Department of Health Services - DSHS has a decidated call center that is available Monday through Friday
from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call 1-877-570-9779.
Cases & Latest Updates
Walker County Office of Emergency Management