Hampton Regional Continues to Provide Needed Medical Services

VARNVILLE, S.C. (April 28, 2020) – During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hampton Regional Medical Center (HRMC) remains committed to providing high-quality care to the community in a safe environment. As the community continues to practice social distancing, HRMC urges the public not to delay seeking care, especially if experiencing a medical emergency. This is crucially important for persons with pre-existing medical conditions. The hospital also recognizes the fear and anxiety associated with having to come to the hospital where you are more likely to encounter a patient suffering from COVID-19. While Hampton Regional does support the need for social isolation, the hospital wants to assure the citizens of Hampton County and surrounding areas that HRMC is continuously working to ensure the facility remains accessible and safe for all patients.

“As your community hospital, it is our responsibility to take care of you and not put you at risk,” said Dave Hamill, CEO, HRMC. “During this unprecedented time, significant changes were made to our hospital policies to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and community. However, our commitment to the communities we serve remains steadfast. As always, we are here for you.”

Hampton Regional has comprehensive infection control policies and procedures in place to assure patients can present to the hospital with low risk of exposure to COVID-19.

• The hospital continues to ask all patients who have fever or any respiratory symptoms to please call ahead, regardless of the reason for the visit, as this allows hospital staff to make certain these patients enter the hospital safely. Symptomatic patients are escorted through an entrance that is away from other patients. To call ahead, please call 803-943-1286.

• There continues to be a detailed screening process for anyone who enters the hospital, as this further ensures HRMC is identifying all symptomatic and/or at-risk patients immediately upon arrival.

• Within the Emergency Department (ED) and Inpatient Units, all patients suspected of having or confirmed to have COVID-19 are kept separate from other patients. To further minimize potential exposure, the hospital has designated rooms in the ED, as well as a wing of the second floor for all COVID-19 patients.

• All hospital staff members have been screened and are monitoring their temperatures twice a day. Staff members are also reporting any health changes to their supervisors before reporting to work daily.

• Chairs have been removed from the Emergency Department waiting area to provide patients ample space to safely distance themselves from one another.

• Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the hospital has developed enhanced cleaning policies. Environmental Services personnel have undergone extensive training related to these policies.

• In light of Governor McMaster’s decision to grant hospitals the option of resuming elective surgical procedures, HRMC has developed a protocol, with input from MUSC, to safely proceed with elective cases. This process will involve screening and testing all elective surgical patients prior to their surgeries to ensure the ongoing safety of staff and other patients.

• While the hospital has implemented conservative measures, based on CDC guidelines, for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns and masks, Hampton Regional has been effective in maintaining an adequate supply of the necessary PPE, allowing all staff members with direct patient care interaction to have continued access to the recommended PPE essential to safely care for COVID-19 patients.

• To further prevent the spread of the virus, any staff member within six feet of a patient will be wearing a mask. The hospital recognizes and supports any patient, regardless of the reason for the visit, who chooses to wear their own personal mask while in the hospital setting.

While HRMC understands the current visitor restrictions in place are challenging for patients and families, the hospital is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, at this time, Hampton Regional must continue to enforce these restrictions to ensure ongoing protection of patients and staff. As a reminder, the hospital will allow one parent to accompany any pediatric patient 17 years of age or younger. End of life situations will continue to be handled on a case-by-case basis. During this difficult time, HRMC encourages patient interaction with families through video calling, such as Facetime, in place of in-person visitation. If the patient does not have a phone or requires assistance, an iPad is available at the hospital for patient use; staff members are available to assist if needed.

“Like many of you, all of us here at HRMC sincerely pray the worst is now behind us,” said Hamill. “We continue to monitor our community’s COVID-19 statistics daily and will make further changes if deemed necessary to maintain the safety of our staff and patients.”

“We have received overwhelming support from the community through donations of food, PPE and other supplies,” added Kathy Jarrell, HRMC Chief Nursing Officer. “We thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support and encouragement during such a stressful time. Hampton Regional remains a safe place for patients to receive the care they need. We want each of you to take care of yourself and know we are here if you need us.”

For the most up-to-date information about Hampton Regional Medical Center and COVID-19, click here.