Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

Twin County Regional Healthcare is committed to protecting the health and safety of everyone who walks through our doors. We can confirm that we have identified a patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This patient is currently in isolation at Twin County Regional Healthcare. The Virginia Department of Health has released this statement.

We are continuing to work closely with the Mount Rogers Health District and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the safety of our patients, the clinical teams who have been caring for this patient and all those within our facility.

Our hospital is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond. We have been preparing for the potential of COVID-19 in our community for several weeks, building upon the robust emergency operations plan we have in place year-round.

Additionally, we implemented strict visitor restrictions, moving to a zero-visitor protocol effective March 25, 2020 as outlined below. We have already limited entry as well, and everyone entering the hospital should continue to use the Emergency Department and the Main Entrance for access. Per CDC guidelines, everyone entering our facilities will be screened for respiratory symptoms and travel history.

We want to reassure our communities that it is safe to come to the hospital should you or your family need care. We stand ready to serve you.
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 Virginia Department of Health.

Visitor Restrictions and Screening Guidelines

In accordance with guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and with the health and safety of our patients, families, employees and community in mind, Twin County Regional Healthcare is implementing strict visitor restrictions, moving to a zero-visitor protocol effective 6:00 am, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Exceptions will include:

Hospitalized minors (maximum of 2 family members/significant others per stay – must show ID)
Patients giving birth (1 family member/significant other per hospital stay)
End of Life patients or patients with special situations should contact their care team (nurse or case manager) and attending physician
Children 16 and under, including siblings of patients, may not visit

We have already limited entry as well, and everyone entering the hospital campus should continue to use the Emergency Department and the Main Entrance for access. Per CDC guidelines, everyone entering our facility will be screened for respiratory symptoms and travel history.

Signage is being posted around the facilities notifying visitors and the community of these new restrictions and guidelines.

ACCESS AND ENTRANCE POLICY

Two points of entry for all staff, vendors, patients and visitors will be the Main Entrance from 6am - 7pm and Emergency Room entrance 24/7.
EMS will continue to use the dedicated entrance at the ER
All staff, vendors, patients and visitors will need to receive required screening to include temperature for entrance approval into the facility. Wrist bands will be given to wear once screening is completed and entrance is allowed inside facility
All patients and visitors must meet visitor policy

TCRH COMMUNITY POLICY

The TCRH cafeteria will be closed to general public coming in to have a meal
The TCRH cafeteria will only serve to TCRH staff and physicians
All external activities and meetings held at the TCRH classrooms and conference rooms are cancelled until further notice and common areas inside the facility will be closed.

Supporting Efforts to Keep Our Community Healthy
By Gregory Pearson, chief executive officer of Twin County Regional Healthcare

Quick Links:

Additional Resources:

A Message to the Community

The clinical teams at Twin County Regional Healthcare are trained on the proper procedures and protocols to minimize the risk of spreading any infectious disease, including COVID-19. If we have any reason to believe a patient may have the coronavirus, our providers immediately implement the appropriate infection control measures in accordance with CDC guidelines. These include masking and isolating the patient, donning personal protective equipment (PPE) – inclusive of an N95 respirator mask, eye protection, gown and gloves – and ensuring environmental hygiene.

We here at TCRH are committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers, and visitors. We are continuing to work closely with our local health departments, following guidance from the Virginia Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure our hospital is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). Additionally, we are reviewing our facility’s robust emergency operations plan and proactively completing a number of preparation checklists out of an abundance of caution.

While we have not evaluated OR treated any patients with this virus at TCRH to date, we have taken the following measures to prepare, in accordance with CDC guidelines:

Patients in the Emergency Department and inpatient units are screened based on their recent travel history.
Personal protective equipment is available, including face masks and eye protection, for example.
Hand hygiene products are easily accessible throughout the facility.

Importantly, all of the above are standard operating protocols that are in place year-round to help ensure the health and well-being of everyone who enters our hospital.

We want to assure our community that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the coronavirus.