Restricted visitation updated for enhanced protection

With ongoing information-sharing about the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Indiana and across the country, Logansport Memorial Hospital is making changes to its visitor restriction policy - effective immediately, until further notice. 

See the latest COVID-19 updates from LMH

For visitors to any patient anywhere in the hospital, the new visitor restriction policy limits visitors to two well adults only. These will be the only two visitors allowed to see the patient through their entire stay, from admission to discharge. This policy is typically only enforced during influenza season on the Family Birth Center, with our new moms and babies. Now, it will apply to any patient, anytime and anywhere throughout the hospital until further notice - two well adults will be the only visitors allowed with an individual patient. Special considerations will be given for end of life care. 

We also ask that visitors do not walk excessively around the facility during this time. Please make your visit with your patient and promptly exit the facility to ensure that we can maintain optimal protection for both our patients and our visitors under these restrictions. 

Logansport Memorial Hospital understands that you may be concerned with your health or with a family member's health, as information is being shared and continuously updated by various media sources. It is most important to consider and remember the facts that have been shared  by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as they have been working to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak across the country.

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.
• The virus is believed to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Approximately 80% of the patients that are getting COVID-19 are only experiencing mild symptoms, with no hospitalization.

The CDC is recommending everyday preventative actions for the public to follow, to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness - like the flue and COVID-19. These everyday preventative actions are supported by Logansport Memorial Hospital.

Everyday preventative actions

Everyday preventative actions to help protect yourself, your family, and others include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw your tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces around your house with a bleach solution. It is recommended to use 4 teaspoons of bleach to 1 quart of water, or 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water, depending on the volume you need. Frequently-touched objects and surfaces may include, but are not limited to tables, counter tops, light switches, doorknobs, cabinet handles, bathroom fixtures (including toilet flush handle), TV remotes, and your cell phone.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 

If you are feeling unwell

If you are feeling ill or unwell with a fever or other flu-like symptoms, including cough or shortness of breath, please take the following steps immediately:

• Stay home, except to get medical care. You should restrict your activities outside the home by not going to work, school, or other public areas. Rest, drink plenty of fluids - especially water - and monitor your temperature.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor. If you have a medical appointment but are experiencing these symptoms, please call your healthcare provider first before keeping your appointment. If you need to make a medical appointment because you are experiencing these or other symptoms, please call in advance and discuss these symptoms over the phone with the triage nurse in your healthcare provider's office. If you have general questions about your symptoms or about COVID-19, please call your primary care provider's office. If you do not have a primary care provider, please call ahead to Express Medical Center before going there to seek medical care: 574.722.9633.
• If possible, please avoid bringing visitors with you to any appointments for medical care. If you must be accompanied, consider bringing only one additional well adult with you.

If you would like more information about what to do for Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the CDC website.

Thank you for your understanding

We understand that these increased visitation restrictions may be an inconvenience for your family. Please know that we only restrict visitation in an effort to protect hospitalized patients who are particularly vulnerable to illness and decrease the risk of exposure for our visitors. These restrictions are similar to what is being put in place at hospitals across the country to protect the public and prevent the spread of illness.

Logansport Memorial Hospital is committed to providing exceptional healthcare held to the highest standards of quality, and this includes meeting rigorous infection prevention standards to keep our patients safe and healthy while under our care. We are currently reviewing and updating protocols based on input and recommendations being shared statewide from the Indiana State Department of Health, as well as nationwide from the CDC.

We are ensuring our own preparedness for Coronavirus (COVID-19) by collaborating with other local healthcare providers (i.e. the Cass County Health Department and the Phoenix Ambulance Service) to implement processes for care and treatment that will utilize the latest information from the ISDH and the CDC. Please be assured that we have a system in place to engage with any type of public health crisis, should it occur here in Logansport and/or Cass County. It’s not limited or specific to outbreaks like COVID-19, but it does include plans for situations like it that can be modified quickly, given the specific circumstance. Many of the practices related to COVID-19 are the same as for influenza, and we will be using our best, most-informed infection prevention practices to protect our staff and the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we prepare and respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana and across the United States.