Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

Information about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is continually changing. We will update this page as needed but encourage the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the most current information available.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses, meaning there are several strains of coronavirus. Health care providers have seen coronavirus for years and regularly test for the common strains. COVID-19 has warranted intensive surveillance by the CDC because it is a novel strain, meaning it is a strain that has not been seen before; therefore, we are still learning how it spreads and the scope of disease it causes. 

As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, we know that our patients and communities are concerned about how the virus is spreading and how we may respond. We are working closely with our federal, state and local partners to stay informed with the most current information, to update our contingency plans and to educate the community. Please use the content in this section of our website as a resource. 

testing & Isolation instructions

There is a specific test for COVID-19 and testing must take place at a designated laborotory. Currently, mass testing for COVID-19 is not available in Tennessee. Maury Regional Health, like other health care providers in our region, is following CDC guidelines for testing. Patients experiencing flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, difficulty breathing and/or close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 should always call before arriving at any health care location. He or she will work with the public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19. If you are urgently ill, please inform 911, the ambulance staff and/or emergency department registration staff that you may have COVID-19.

Individuals Without Symptoms
If you are asymptomatic (no symptoms) and have not been in contact with a person known to have COVID-19, you do not need to be tested at this time. Currently, mass testing for COVID-19 is not available in Tennessee. Maury Regional Health, like other health care providers in our region, is following CDC guidelines for testing. 

Individuals With Symptoms
Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms including fever, new or increased cough, unusual shortness of breath should self-isolate for 14 days. ALL symptoms must be resolved (without fever reducing medications) at least 3 days (72 hours) before leaving the house or being in close contact with anyone. Even after recovery, please continue the recommended social distancing for all. If you are self-isolating and feel that your condition has worsened and you need medical attention, you should always call before arriving at any health care location. Any individual who is urgently ill and requires immediate medical attention should inform 911, the ambulance staff and/or emergency department registration staff that they may have COVID-19.

Patients With Possible COVID-19 Exposure
If you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, you should quarantine yourself for 14 days. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and may include fever, new or increased cough or unusual shortness of breath. If your condition worsens and you need medical attention, you should always call before arriving at any health care location. 

Patients Positive for COVID-19
Most patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and recover on their own. We encourage you to self-quarantine for a minimum of 7 days. ALL symptoms must be resolved (without taking any fever-reducing medications) at least 3 days (72 hours) before leaving the house or being in close contact with anyone.

Patients on Quarantine
If you have been tested for COVID-19 and been placed on home quarantine, you MUST follow the quarantine instructions until you receive results and further guidance from your provider. Do not assume if you feel better or stop running a fever that you are no longer contagious. If you feel that your condition has worsened and you need medical attention, you should always call before arriving at any health care location. Any individual who is urgently ill and requires immediate medical attention should inform 911, the ambulance staff and/or emergency department registration staff that they may have COVID-19.

Urgently Ill Patients
Any individual who is urgently ill and requires immediate medical attention should inform 911, the ambulance staff and/or emergency department registration staff that they may have COVID-19.

If you have questions about your potential health risk, you may call the Maury Regional Health COVID-19 Information Line at 931.540.4257. This information line is available daily between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. In addition, the Tennessee Department of Health maintains the Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line. The number is 877.857.2945 and is answered daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. CST.

Please use these resources from the CDC for information on managing your health at home:

10 things you can do to manage your health at home

Patient quarantine information

Covid-19 information line

Maury Regional Health and the Tennessee Department of Health have established information lines for community members who have questions about COVID-19, including those concerned about symptoms and treatment. Calls are answered by health care professionals who can address questions about COVID-19, including symptoms and self-monitoring recommendations, and direct patients to an appropriate location for care, if needed. Those who need information related to COVID-19 are encouraged to call:

Maury Regional Health COVID-19 Information Line
7 AM - 7 PM Daily
931.540.4257

Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line
10 AM - 10 PM Daily
877.857.2945

hospital visitation restrictions

Maury Regional Health has joined other hospitals in Middle Tennessee in implementing additional visitation restrictions as more cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed in Tennessee. Learn more here.

Under the latest restrictions, visitors are not permitted at Maury Regional Medical Center, Marshall Medical Center or Wayne Medical Center with these limited exceptions:

  • Emergency departments – one support person may be allowed based on patient age and condition. Visitors may be asked to wait in the car.
  • Pediatric patients – one parent/guardian/caregiver designated during the length of hospitalization (same person each day). If this person leaves the facility, he/she must answer all screening questions daily. 
  • Childbirth patients – one support partner during the entire hospital stay (same person each day). If this person leaves the facility, he/she must answer all screening questions daily. 
  • Outpatient testing and surgery – one support person on the day of testing/surgery

Visitors are not permitted to wait in main lobbies or emergency room waiting areas. A support person must be 16 or older. Any other exceptions, including end-of-life situations, will be reviewed on an individual basis. Visitors and patients must enter through the main entrance or public emergency department entrance. Visitors will be screened for signs of a respiratory illness, fever or potential exposure to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Those allowed to visit are asked to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering a patient room and upon leaving a patient room. Dispensers containing hand sanitizer are located throughout the hospitals.

Other Maury Regional Health visitation restrictions currently include:

  • Maury Regional Urgent Care – Patients are asked to bring no more than one support person to their visit and, if possible, that person should remain in their vehicle. Patients who are experiencing fever, new or increased cough, unusual shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms OR have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, are asked to call before arriving so that staff are prepared to use appropriate precautions.
  • Maury Regional Cancer Center – An immediate family member or primary support person who accompanies a patient is asked to limit their contact in patient areas by remaining in the main waiting room when possible. No one under the age of 16 is permitted.
  • Maury Regional Medical Group – Patients are asked to bring no more than one support person to their appointment. Patients who are experiencing fever, new or increased cough, unusual shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms OR have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, are asked to call the MRMG practice prior to their appointment.

Childbirth Floor

We realize that the birth of a child is an exciting time and that visitation restrictions are frustrating; however, please understand that we are in a pandemic. Our primary goal is to ensure the welfare of all patients in our care. For clarification, mothers who are delivering may have one support person during the entire hospital stay. If you are staying more than one day, you may not have a second support person visit on the second day. If your one support person must leave, they will need to be re-screened when they return on the second day. For those needing NICU services, you may have one support person the day of your delivery and until discharge. Once the mother is discharged, and the baby remains our patient in NICU, the mother will be the only one permitted to visit to ensure bonding. Again, we know this is a difficult time for our community and regret that we cannot accommodate the desires of new parents, but we need your cooperation to keep our entire community, including your newborn, safe during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Medical Office Buildings and Maury Regional Medical Group (MRMG) Practices

We are also asking patients and visitors who arrive at one of our medical office buildings a series of questions regarding symptoms or possible contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Anyone with possible symptoms is asked to go to urgent care or the emergency department. 

We also request that patients coming to a physician practice, urgent care or emergency department to come alone or bring only one person with them. When possible, we ask that the visitor stay in the car during the patient visit; however, we may allow one asymptomatic (no symptoms) support person or guardian as needed based on the condition and age of the patient. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Some MRMG practices may have additional guidelines. Please call the office before arriving to discuss any possible symptoms, processes and visitor restrictions. 

additional links

Protecting Against COVID-19

Tips for Parents

COVID-19 Newsroom

Medical Records & Bill Payment

Additional Resources

How You Can Help

Maury Regional Health has a multidisciplinary team that meets daily to review the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data and clinical findings related to COVID-19. Our organization regularly prepares for the unexpected by conducting preparedness training designed to protect both our patients and our caregivers. Just in the last decade, outbreaks like swine flu, Ebola and Zika have strengthened our readiness and preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks. We are closely following CDC recommendations on how to best use and preserve existing supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect our health care team.

Individuals are encouraged to depend upon the CDC as the trusted source of information if they have any questions.

 

Updated 3/25/20