Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

Southern Tennessee Regional Health System Pulaski 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.

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.

Quick Links:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
• Local/state health department –  (www.tn.gov/health) COVID-19 Public Information Number 877-857-2945 Available 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. CST Daily
• State hospital association –  (www.tha.com)

Visitation Guidelines

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, STRHS Pulaski has put temporary restrictions and guidance for patient visitors in place while in our facility.  To ensure we are all doing our part to control the spread of COVID-19, please use the following restrictions and guidance until further notice to help safeguard our patients, visitors, staff, and community.

• All approved visitors will be screened for flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and will not be permitted to visit if they have symptoms.
• No visitors for COVID positive patients unless approved by hospital leadership.
• All approved visitors must check-in at the ER front desk and wear a face mask throughout the duration of their visit.
• Approved visitors are expected to bring their own face mask.  If they do not have one, a non-procedural face mask will be provided.  In an effort to preserve our face mask supply, please do not dispose of the hospital issued mask while visiting.
• Only one person may visit at any given time in the hospital.  The visitor may leave and come back but is expected to limit the activity.  This visitor can be replaced by an alternate visitor; however, the number of visitors will be limited to two (2) within 24 hours.
• Emergency patients and Outpatient Surgery patients are allowed one visitor during the duration of their stay, regardless of visiting hours.
• Visiting hours are 8:30 am - 6 pm.  Overnight visitors must be pre-approved by our Nursing Leaders.
• Family members or friends of patients, other than the designated visitor, will not be permitted to enter the facility or to wait in the hospital.
• If you have a need resulting in the need to leave the care area please let an attending medical professional know.  We are more than happy to help you.
• Visitors must:
  • Wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times.
  • Have a health screening with temperature check when they enter the building
  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Be in good health (free from respiratory illness, fever, cough, etc.)
  • Visitors are not allowed to wander the hospital
  • Follow all social distancing and safety guidance (wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing, etc.)
• Special circumstances will be managed by the treating physician and the facility leaders.
• If a visitor does not follow the guidance above it can cause serious safety and health concerns.  They will be escorted out of the building to keep our patients and staff safe.

We are Maintaining a Clean & Safe Environment

STRHS Pulaski is committed to providing a clean and safe care environment, and we are taking all precautionary measures to safeguard our staff, providers and those we serve against the spread of illness. Our hospital is clean and safe – just like it always has been! One of the core elements of properly managing infectious diseases is the cleanliness of our physical facility.

Here are some of the specific steps we are taking to maintain a clean and safe environment and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, like COVID-19:

1. Compliance with Infection Prevention Best Practices, including:

   1. following hand hygiene protocol and utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times

   2. ensuring availability and access to hand sanitizer and soap throughout the facility

   3. using proper disinfectants, cleaning agents and supplies that meet state and federal infection control standards
       

2. Terminal Cleaning and Disinfection of Sterile Areas: Our teams conduct terminal cleaning and disinfection of all sterile areas, including operating and procedural rooms, in accordance with industry standards and best practices.
    

3. Focus on High-Touch Areas: We have enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-touch items and surfaces in high-traffic areas of our facility, including our emergency room, lobbies, waiting areas, hallways, restrooms, elevators.

4. Increased Inspections and Rounding to monitor compliance of our cleaning and disinfection process.

5. Education & Training: In addition to reinforcing our routine cleaning techniques, we are also educating and training our teams on the latest guidance and recommendations for infection prevention related to COVID-19.

6. Visitor Restrictions, Screening & Masking: Our hospital continues to enforce limited visitor restrictions, restricted access to our facility and screen every individual who enters our facility including patients, staff, providers and vendors. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask while in our facility.

What happens after a patient is discharged?

As part of our routine cleaning protocol, our environmental services (EVS) team takes the following steps to clean and sanitize a room after a patient is discharged:

• Restrict access to room.

• Use alcohol foam (sanitizer) on hands and put on gloves.

• Trash and linens are bagged.

• Gloves are removed, alcohol foam reapplied; new gloves are put on.

• Dust surfaces at shoulder height and above.

• Disinfect bed — cleaning top to bottom, removing all tape.

• Disinfect room — starting at the door, wiping high-touch surfaces and furniture.

• Disinfect bathroom, cleaning and wiping down all areas.

• Remove gloves and use alcohol foam. In isolation, or “high risk”, rooms: Remove gloves, then gown, then mask. Wash hands with soap and water.

• Gather clean linens, drape over forearm, hold away from body.

• Make bed.

• Restock supplies.

• Dry mop.

• Wet mop, ending at the door.

• Clean hands and put on new gloves.

• Disinfect cleaning equipment.

• Remove gloves, wash with soap and water.