What ARHS employees need to know about COVID-19

This page is a resource for employee information about COVID-19 and the steps ARHS is taking. Please direct patients and members of the public to our public facing website at apprhs.org/covid19

HIPAA Compliance Requirement

We want to remind all employees of ARHS’s policy regarding accessing patient records. With the COVID 19 risk, we know that in our small community you may have friends or family impacted by the virus and you may be concerned about their health and safety.

While we appreciate the caring attitude of our staff, you should only be accessing patient information to the degree that you need that information to provide care or to perform your job.

We do randomly run access logs to see who is accessing patient records. If we cannot identify a reason a specific person accessed the record, then HR and leadership will be investigating. Disciplinary measures can occur if the record should not have been accessed.

Thank you for taking such great care of our patients and for protecting their privacy as well.

Updated COVID Precautions & Procedures

Updated March 24, 2023
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is updating our guidance to align with the CDC’s recent changes. This guidance is being updated to continue our focus on protection for healthcare personnel, patients and visitors. These updates will be refined as additional information becomes available to inform recommended actions.
ARHS encourages everyone to remain up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. Employees are required to present proof of vaccination and booster doses to Occupational Health.

MASKING & EYE PROTECTION

In Patient Care Areas
Teammate Mask Policy (providers, employees, vendors, contractors)
• Masks are required in patient rooms and while engaged in direct patient care (eg, transporting a patient, helping a patient ambulate in the hall) and optional but encouraged at all other times. When in doubt, wear a mask!
• Please do not report to work if you are sick. Contact Occupational/Employee Health if you test positive for COVID-19 to ensure you follow your entity-specific protocols.
• Teammates may choose to wear a mask or respirator for their personal protection at any time.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
Those who are not up to date with vaccines are encouraged to remain six feet away from others. We will continue to provide places where social distancing can occur.

VISITATION
General COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines
At Hospitals, Outpatient Offices and other ARHS Locations (HR, Patient Accounts, etc), visitors must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times in public locations (a mask is not required inside a patient’s room).
Visitors should not enter if they have a respiratory illness, fever, cough, etc. if they have COVID-19 or are waiting on COVID-19 test results.
Watauga Medical Center & Cannon Memorial Hospital
Adult and Pediatric Patients: Two (2) visitors will be allowed for adult patients at any given time
WMC Birthing Center: Two visitors will be allowed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., only one overnight visitor will be allowed. If a laboring mother wishes to have a doula they would be allowed as a third person but should leave within one hour after delivery.
Emergency Departments
Emergency Departments patients are allowed one (1) visitor any time of day upon initial assessment, and 2 visitors once the patient is stabilized. Two (2) parents or guardians are allowed if patients are under 18. Visitors must wear a badge with the room number identified.
Due to construction, Emergency Department visitors will be allowed in waiting rooms, but are encouraged to wait in their vehicle due to limited waiting room space.
COVID Patients: One visitor at a time will be allowed for COVID patients on isolation between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional visitors will be considered as needed by the House Supervisor.
Exceptions for additional visitation will be managed by the ED Charge Nurse.
Inpatient Behavioral Health
Visiting hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. One (1) visitor will be allowed for a period of 30 minutes, by appointment only. Potential visitors should call (828) 737-7071 to schedule an appointment.

TESTING
All patients admitted to ARHS hospitals for inpatient care will be tested for COVID when they have COVID symptoms or have a known exposure to a COVID positive person. Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital will require testing prior to admission. Treating providers may still order COVID tests whenever necessary. Inpatients will no longer be subject to surveillance testing during their hospital stay unless they are symptomatic or ordered by a provider.

GREETERS
There will no longer be greeters stationed at Cannon Memorial Hospital and patients will be directed by Patient Access desk. Watauga Medical Center will continue with Greeters to help patients and visitors navigate construction disruptions.
Greeters will no longer ask screening questions of visitors upon arrival but instead, ensure mask wearing while in public areas and provide new visitation guidance. Greeters will also assist in identifying ED patients arriving with COVID symptoms to segmented areas of waiting space. Visitors will no longer need identification bracelets.

CAFETERIA SERVICES
Cafeteria services will be reinstituting fountain drink services and salad bar services as soon as possible.