Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Rick Smith

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Troy Regional Medical Center has allowed limited visitation to patients, using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines as our primary screening tool.

As Troy Regional looks forward to normalizing operations, we anticipate a high demand for services.

While screening procedures have been in place already, on May 4th, with the re-start of elective surgeries and other out-patient procedures, TRMC began enhanced screening of guests at all hospital, ambulatory and physician office entrances and to ensure visitors are free of COVID-19 symptoms.

This screening will provide an added layer of protection for our patients, physicians and team members. Guests will be greeted by a team member who will provide hand sanitizer for guests’ hands. 

Guests will then be asked several screening questions, following the new guidelines from the CDC. These are the same symptoms our team members are self-screening for every day, as shared below. We will also perform a no-touch forehead temperature screen on each guest to check for a fever. Visitor masking protocols will remain the same at all locations. Our current “NO Visitation” guideline will also remain the same at all locations. 

If a visitor screens positive for any of the COVID-19 symptoms, they will not be permitted to enter the facility. If the visitor is here for an “end-of-life” visit or to accompany a pediatric patient, an escalation process will be used to alert Administrative leaders before allowing access to the hospital.

All other visitors who screen positive will be unable to visit while they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have had recent unprotected contact with a known positive COVID-19 person. Our new Telemedicine option may also be offered as an alternative.

I would like to take this opportunity to add for each of the Troy Regional Medical Center team members, a “Thank You” for your continued outstanding efforts each day as we battle this horrible virus. In the shadow of the last two plus months, each of you have reminded me of all the special and infinite skills you possess.

You have traveled rough, often scary, and complicated waters with a grace and a steadiness that has been truly remarkable. You have cared for the sickest of patients under the most difficult of circumstances—always rising to meet the challenge and facing each day and moment with compassion and ingenuity.

During this challenging time, no aspect of your performance has surprised me. As we join the state and nation in celebration of National Hospital Week, the Troy Regional Team is so very impressive in each of your roles and I remain incredibly grateful to have you on the front lines of this fight.

By standing with each other, we will all be better protected.

Do not let your guard down and maintain your state of preparedness.

Rick E Smith, FACHE is Chief Executive Officer, Troy Regional Medical Center.