Catawba Valley Medical Center
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Patients & Visitors

Coronavirus Preparedness

There is an expanding outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new type of coronavirus (COVID-19). Numbers of people affected worldwide have continued to climb over the past several weeks, and North Carolina itself has seen a small number of cases. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we anticipate there being more cases in the U.S. in coming weeks.

Hospital Visitation

Visitor Restrictions

CVMC has stopped all patient visitation until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our patients, staff and community. Limited exceptions will be made primarily for patients under 18, laboring mothers, and imminent death situations​.

Closures, Cancellations and Scheduling Changes

Better Breathers

  • Our next session of the Better Breathers Support Group on April 2 will be cancelled for the safety of patients with lung conditions.

Cardiac Rehab Program

  • The Cardiac Rehab Program is closed until further notice.

Fitness Plus

  • Effective Tuesday, March 17, Fitness Plus will be closed as we take an overabundance of caution to practice social distancing and limit exposure among groups during our Coronavirus response plan. Updates on resuming normal business operations will be posted here and on CVHS social media outlets. Please contact the Fitness Plus office at 828-326-3680 with questions or concerns. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Mammography

  • In an effort to reduce potential exposure for the public, CVHS has determined to suspend all screening mammograms through May 1, 2020, including those performed on the Mobile Mammography vehicle. At the time we’re able to resume offering screening mammograms, we will be in touch to discuss options for your employees/patients/clients.

Maternal Child Classes

  • Effective through April 30, In our effort to minimize the possibility of exposure to the Coronavirus and to protect our newborns and their families, we are taking the precaution of postponing and/or canceling our Maternal Child Classes and tours, as well as Baby Weigh Thursdays. As an alternative, we have released Online Childbirth eClasses and a Virtual Tour of our Birthing Center.
    • If you have specific breastfeeding questions or concerns, we will continue to have the Lactation Support Hotline, which is 828-326-2086. A complete list of the affected activities is on our webpage.

Pulmonary Rehab Program

  • The Pulmonary Rehab Program is closed until further notice.

Rehabilitation

  • Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Programs are reducing in person care at this time.

Stroke Support Group

  • April's Stroke Support Group has been canceled.

Surgical Weight Loss

  • Effective now through April 30th, in our effort to minimize the possibility of exposure to the Coronavirus and to protect our community, we are taking the precaution of cancelling our Surgical Weight Management Education Seminars and Support Group Meetings. We are currently working on an alternative resource for the Education Seminars.
  • Please contact the Surgical Weight Management Office by calling 828-326-2082 or emailing lshaver@catawbavalleymc.org with any questions you may have or to request information regarding the Surgical Weight Management Program.

Volunteen Program

  • To keep our students and healthcare team safe, we are canceling this summer's Volunteen Program.

Prevention

The steps to preventing coronavirus transmission are similar to the steps to preventing other respiratory illnesses, like the flu. The following are common-sense measures all North Carolinians can take to prepare for potential widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the state:

Individuals and communities should familiarize themselves with recommendations to protect themselves and their community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses.

Individuals, Families and Communities

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
  • It is also good practice to start being more aware of the number of times a day your hands touch an object or hard surface and then touch your face without being washed. Limiting the exposure of your nose, mouth and eyes to unwashed hands can help to protect from the spread of all germs and illnesses.
  • Have a plan in case you need to miss work or other responsibilities due to personal illness or to care for a sick family member.

For pregnant women and children, review the information and guidance available on the CDC website.

All North Carolinians can better prepare for COVID-19 by getting up-to-date information directly from reliable sources like the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus) and the CDC (cdc.gov/coronavirus). The COVID-19 outbreak has been accompanied by a global flood of misinformation from unreliable sources. Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before you act.

Managing Your Health at Home

If you have possible or confirmed COVID-19:

  1. Stay home from work, school, and away from other public places. If you must go out, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
  2. Monitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider immediately.
  3. Get rest and stay hydrated.
  4. If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider ahead of time and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19.
  5. For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you have or may have COVID-19.
  6. Cover your cough and sneezes.
  7. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  8. As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. If you need to be around other people in or outside of the home, wear a facemask.
  9. Avoid sharing personal items with other people in your household, like dishes, towels, and bedding
  10. Clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, and doorknobs. Use household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions

How the Hospital is Prepared

At Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC), we put best practices into action to prevent the spread of illness and infection to patients, visitors and staff within our facility.

Year-round we are in a daily state of preparedness regarding the prevention and spread of infection. We strictly follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and North Carolina Public Health guidance for infection prevention.

We have strong collaborative relationships with local and state health departments, as well as emergency personnel, to constantly monitor the latest developments of emerging infections, including, but not limited to, the 2019 novel coronavirus.

We also have a number of isolation precautions we follow for various types of infectious diseases. These precautions include:

  • Proper hand hygiene procedures are strictly enforced;
  • Depending on a patient’s diagnosis, personal protective equipment may include gloves, gown, respiratory protection, and eye protection for personnel entering an infectious patient’s room;
  • Negative-pressure patient care rooms are used as needed to minimize the possibility of spreading infectious diseases;
  • Visitation restrictions are put into place as needed to reduce the potential spread of infectious diseases;
  • Notifications and education are posted for both visitors and staff;
  • Masks and hand-sanitizing stations are made available for visitors and located throughout our facility.

Additionally, we hold daily safety huddles that include reminders about best practices for preventing infections.

In the case of coronavirus, we screen patients at entry points per CDC guidelines that include questions pertaining to travel history and a full assessment of signs and symptoms.

While infectious diseases can be frightening for the community, they are a part of the normal scope of care within our hospital and we are committed to following best practices that help keep our patients, visitors and staff safe and healthy.

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