Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

Our hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

For Patients and Visitors:

At Swain Community Hospital, our top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community. We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients. Please be advised that effective October 27, 2021 Swain Community Hospital and associated entities will be enforcing the following visitor policy.

No visitors/companions under any circumstance will be permitted to stay if they have existing signs/symptoms of respiratory illness, including: fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

The hospital(s) will allow the following visitation guidelines:

All approved visitors will be screened upon entry at registration, required to wear a mask, and visitor sticker indicating they have been screened.
Visitors who answer YES to any of the screening questions or have a temperature greater than 100° F will be denied entry and be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free.
Visitors should utilize alternative methods of communication, including technology, with patients as much as possible.
MASKS AND ADHERENCE TO HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL POLICY IS REQUIRED. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mask, but one will be provided if necessary. Visitors should not wander the hospital.
Inpatients and ER (Harris and Swain) will be limited to one visitor in room at a time, 12 years of age or older, 24/7. This change allows for multiple visitors per day.
- Visitation IS allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised, or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) if visitor has passed screen and wears appropriate PPE in patient room. Visitation is allowed for short duration not to exceed 15 minutes
  - Counsel patients and their visitor(s) about the risks of an in-person visit.
  - Encourage use of alternative mechanisms for patient and visitor interactions such as video-call applications on cell phones or tablets, when appropriate.
  - Facilities should provide instruction, before visitors enter the patient’s room, on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of PPE according to current facility policy.
  - Visitors should be instructed to only visit the patient room. They should minimize their time spent in other locations in the facility.
- Lab, Radiology, Ortho, Cardiology, PT may have 1 companion.
- Outpatient surgery (ASU) patients will be allowed 1 family member as a companion, patients under 18 will be allowed to have 2 parents/guardians present.
  - Any patient that will be an inpatient post-op will be allowed to have 1 companion in ASU.
  - Once a companion has entered ASU they cannot leave for any reason.
  - ASU companions must follow the same safe at home guidelines as surgery patients for 7 days prior to surgery.
- Harris Labor & Delivery patients will be allowed two support persons. Once baby has been delivered, 1 person may stay with patient overnight.
- NICU: No siblings under the age of 12 visitation allowed. Masks are required for all entry to the NICU.

All persons regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask at all times.

Visiting hours will be limited to 9am-4:30pm. If deemed appropriate, some visitors may be allowed to stay overnight for patients needing extensive assistance or support. All persons regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask at all times.

Below are a number of resources to help educate you and your family on COVID-19.For more information on the virus, please contact the health department.

COVID-19 Online Risk Assessment

To help support the health of our community, we are providing access to an online COVID-19 risk assessment developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool does NOT provide a diagnosis, and it should NOT be used as a substitute for an assessment made by a healthcare provider.

Begin CDC Online Assessment

COVID-19 Resources:

Hygeine Reminders from the CDC

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Why? Read the science behind the recommendations.

Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,

Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.

Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use. Learn more here.

How to use hand sanitizer

Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.

For more information, visit the CDC website.