Updated CCMH visitor and facility access policy

In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, Cedar County Memorial Hospital is taking additional precautions for the safety of its patients and employees. Effective April 4, 2020, Cedar County Memorial Hospital will restrict all visitors to the Hospital.

Exceptions will be made only for the following clinical areas:

•Inpatients experiencing end-of-life care (visitors only at the discretion of the patient’s care team)

•Emergency Department (One support person only if needed for mobility or understanding of health information)

•Outpatient (One support person only if needed for mobility or understanding of health information)

All other visitors are not allowed. No one under the age of 18, unless seeking medical care/services, will be permitted to enter Cedar County Memorial Hospital facilities. This includes the hospital and its clinics.

Healthy patients and visitors (per exceptions listed above) are asked to use the main hospital entrance and will be screened.   Visitor hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, until further notice.

Patients seeking emergency care are asked to use the emergency department entrance only. Patients who have symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, are asked to call ahead to 417-876-2511 so the hospital can provide instructions and prepare for patient arrival to the emergency department.  When arriving at the hospital’s emergency department entrance and before entering the building, patients are asked to push the buzzer; a member of the Cedar County Memorial Hospital staff will provide a screening before the patient is allowed to enter the facility.  All support persons will undergo a screening prior to entry as well.

Please note.

• Everyone entering the hospital will be screened for COVID-19.

• No one will be allowed into the hospital who shows symptoms of COVID-19.

Anyone who is sick and not seeking medical treatment should not visit Cedar County Memorial Hospital or any of its locations.

Patients exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and who wish to seek care at the Medical Mall Clinic are instructed to call ahead to 417-876-3333 so clinic staff can provide instructions and prepare for patient arrival.

Patients who have outpatient or specialty clinic appointments at the hospital, should assume their appointments are still scheduled unless they receive notification otherwise.  These patients are asked to call the specialty clinic at 417/876-3613, as applicable, to cancel their appointments if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath.

CCMH understands these elevated restrictions and screenings may be inconvenient, but this is an important step in keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible. Cedar County Memorial Hospital appreciates the community’s help, understanding and compliance in helping to protect our patients, families, staff and community. For the latest information, visit CDC website at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.

Cedar County Memorial Hospital emphasizes the importance of the entire community participating in appropriate social distancing, hygiene and surface disinfection to battle COVID-19.

Jana Witt, M.B.A.

C.E.O.—Cedar County Memorial Hospital