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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Preparedness Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, and the Mississippi Department of Health are the definitive sources for updated and accurate information.
SSCH Response
In light of recent developments around the world, and most recently the state of Mississippi, South Sunflower County Hospital understands that there are many questions and uncertainties about the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. South Sunflower County Hospital is following the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) to ensure our organization is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect, and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, we are monitoring and updating our facility’s robust emergency operations plan.
What is South Sunflower County Hospital doing to help limit the spread of COVID-19?
There is a multidisciplinary team of health care providers, administrative leaders, and support staff prepared to care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. We have taken every precaution to ensure that we can provide all patients, including those with possible COVID-19, with the highest quality care while protecting hospital staff, other patients, and visitors. Several proactive measures have been put into place across the hospital, including activities related to:
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Enforced visitor safety restrictions throughout the hospital
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Implemented safety screening processes for patients, visitors, and employee
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Restricted access limited to the Main Entrance and the Emergency Department
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Launched a public COVID-19 Hotline that has brief recorded information
SSCH COVID-19 HOTLINE PHONE NUMBER: (662) 635-7269
Visitor Restrictions and Screening Guidelines
Visitor Restrictions
At South Sunflower County 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 COVID-19 in our community and follow state and federal guidelines as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients.
Effective March 1, 2021, South Sunflower County Hospital is now allowing visitation for non-COVID patients at two set times during the day (8 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm). During the set times, the non-COVID patients will be allowed to have a maximum of 2 visitors (12 years or older) in the room at a time. All visitors must be able to pass the screening check prior to entering patient care areas.
Policy:
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All patient visitors must enter through the main lobby entrance of the hospital.
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All visitors must have their temperature checked upon entrance of the facility. If a visitor has a temperature greater than 100.4, they will not be allowed to visit.
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All visitors must “PASS” the screening questions prior to being allowed in patient care areas.
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Each visitor will be given a yellow badge with the patient’s room number on it. These badges are to be always worn visibly while visiting and returned to the front desk upon leaving. If both badges for a patient are gone from the front desk, no other visitor will be allowed back until someone switches with them.
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Visitors must always wear their masks. They are to go directly to the patient’s room and remain in the room the entire time they plan to visit. If there is something a visitor needs, they are to utilize the nurse call light and not enter the hallway unless they are leaving.
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The front desk personnel will announce when visitation hours are ending.
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Emergency Room visitors are to enter through the Emergency Department on the north side of the hospital.
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Emergency Room visitor’s area to stay with the patient and not wander about the ER/hospital.
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At any time, visitors to patients may be further restricted at the request of a physician, nurse, or patient.
Inpatients:
South Sunflower County Hospital will allow visitation for non-COVID patients at two set times during the day (8 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm). During the set times, the non-COVID patients will be allowed to have a maximum of TWO (2) visitors (12 years or older) in the room at a time. All visitors must be able to pass the screening check prior to entering patient care areas.
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At this time, Positive COVID patients and patients admitted to the COVID unit will not be allowed visitors unless it is approved by the Infection Control Medical Director.
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Positive COVID OB patients will be allowed one support person if they are laboring/delivery is imminent; the hospital will provide appropriate PPE. They must always remain in the patient’s room and wear a mask throughout the duration of the hospital stay—if they leave the building they will not be allowed to come back inside.
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If a non-COVID patient requires an overnight guest, this will need to be approved by the Infection Control Medical Director or Infection Control Nurse. The overnight guest will complete a COVID signs/symptoms sheet, sign it, and it will be placed in the patient’s chart.
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Minors must have one parent/guardian stay with them throughout the duration of their stay.
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Negative COVID OB patients will be allowed one support person to stay overnight if they are laboring/delivery is imminent. This support person will be swabbed for COVID prior to being allowed to stay overnight.
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If the support person is POSITIVE, they will not be allowed to come inside.
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If the support person is NEGATIVE, they will be allowed to stay but must wear a mask throughout the duration of the hospital stay. If they must leave the building, they will only be allowed back in during the set visitation times.
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Outpatients:
Wound Care patients, Outpatient surgery, and OBs receiving ultrasounds will be allowed ONE (1) support person/caregiver to be with them if needed.
ER:
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All adult Emergency Room patients will be allowed ONE (1) visitor/caregiver if the provider deems it necessary for the care/treatment of the patient.
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Pediatric Emergency Room patients must have one parent/guardian with them during the duration of the visit.
South Sunflower County Hospital values the trust our community places in us, and we appreciate your understanding as we shift our visitation policies during this time.
Entrances
Hospital Entrances
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Main Entrance (121 East Baker Street)- employees, visitors, and outpatients
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Emergency Department - ER patients will come in through the ambulance door—not the sliding glass door.
Indianola Family Medical Group
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Front Entrance (122 East Baker Street) - Patients will pull their car under the awning at the front of the building for curbside check-in
Indianola Family Medical Group - After-Hours
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East Side Entrance (Moody Street) - Patients needing after-hours care will present to the east side entrance of IFMG located on Moody Street, and press the intercom button to alert our reception team of their arrival. The patient will be notified when to enter the building, to ensure proper social distancing.
Clinic Visits
To help patients receive appropriate care while limiting or reducing the further spread of COVID-19 in the community, our clinics have implemented new processes to enhance access to outpatient care. Additionally, if you need medical attention due to respiratory illness symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and plan to visit our hospital, your primary care provider, or an urgent clinic, please call ahead before you go and let them know that you are experiencing symptoms that may possibly be related to COVID-19. This will allow providers to properly prepare for your visit and take the necessary precautions to keep others from being infected or exposed.
Indianola Family Medical Group
Indianola Family Medical Group is offering 2 different types of visits:
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Curbside Visits: All patients, scheduled and walk-in, will pull their vehicle under the awning at the front entrance of the clinic. Our staff will meet you at your car and instruct you further.
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Telehealth Visits: Our providers are expanding access via telehealth to allow existing patients to continue to receive regular care during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to participate in our telehealth program, please call the clinic at (662) 887-2212 for further instructions. This will be a virtual visit from your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Telehealth will be live from 8 am-5 pm and Saturday 8 am-12 pm.
Indianola Family Medical Group After-Hours
Indianola Family Medical Group After-Hours is open for after-hours and weekend care. Click here for hours.
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Patients needing after-hours care will present to the east side entrance of IFMG located on Moody Street, and press the intercom button to alert our reception team of their arrival. Patients will be notified when to enter the building, to ensure proper social distancing.
Delta Primary Care After-Hours
Delta Primary Care After-Hours is open for weekend care. Click here for hours.
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All patients will be screened (temperature and upper respiratory symptoms) prior to entry and triaged accordingly.
Phillips Health Center resumed normal business hours on Monday, June 1, 2020. Click here for hours.
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All patients will be screened (temperature and upper respiratory symptoms) prior to entry and triaged accordingly.
At South Sunflower County Hospital, we are working to protect and care for our community and staff. We understand that you may have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as its availability to the public.
Our clinic, Indianola Family Medical Group, has received a small allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine. We are distributing the vaccine according to the state and federal vaccination distribution plan, starting with our most vulnerable population of 75 years of age and older. As future vaccines become available, we will continue to vaccinate this population and the other populations identified by the CDC and MSDH.
At this time, Indianola Family Medical Group is taking appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. Please call 662-887-2212 to inquire about an appointment for the appropriate date and time.
The MSDH, in partnership with UMMC, has prepared several COVID-19 vaccination drive-through sites around the state, with the closest sites located in Leflore and Washington Counties. Currently, residents 65 and older, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and have the option to utilize one of the local high-volume drive-through sites. Please visit this site https://covidvaccine.umc.edu/ to schedule your vaccine appointment at an MSDH Vaccination Drive Through facility.
In the meantime, we must continue to work together to bridge the gap between now and when 75-85% of the population has been vaccinated. We must remain vigilant about prevention and continue to follow the precautions to prevent its spread, including wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands, avoiding travel, and staying isolated if sick.
We will continue to update our website and Facebook page with new information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, as it becomes available.
Thank you for your ongoing patience during this time. Please know we are working with the appropriate state authorities to get the vaccine distributed throughout our community as soon as possible.
Resources
Mississippi State Department of Health
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Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline (8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday): 877-978-6453
Governor Tate Reeves' Coronavirus Pandemic Signed Executive Orders
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Should I be tested for COVID-19?
If you develop symptoms (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath) and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with the ongoing spread of COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider/local ER. Your doctor will determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and whether or not you should be tested.
What happens if you are diagnosed with COVID-19?
There is no vaccine for COVID-19. Treatment is symptomatic which means you’ll need medications to reduce fever, lessen cough, etc. Your healthcare provider and public health staff will evaluate whether you can be cared for at home. If it is determined you do not need to be hospitalized then you will be isolated in your home and follow self-monitoring guidelines and precautions.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and is a strain of the Coronavirus. Coronaviruses have been around for years. Example: the common cold. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue. Similar to the flu, but COVID-19 is connected with travel to a country with widespread community transmission OR close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
How is COVID-19 spread?
Through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Similar to how the flu and other respiratory illnesses are spread. These droplets infect during close contact—about 6 feet.
How can we prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Wash your hands often, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home if you are sick, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue away, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and clean/disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes
Hand Washing Tips
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Use soap and water
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Wash for at least 20 seconds
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Wash hands especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
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If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
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Cover all surfaces of your hands with hand sanitizer and rub them together until they feel dry
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Get a flu vaccination every year