The District has taken multiple precautions and developed many procedures to address the "New Normal" of COVID-19.

With current recovery trends occurring in our area, the District is making certain services available again as needed by the community.  These services will be available for the foreseeable future, unless COVID-19 again becomes prevalent in area clinics and in the hospital inpatient unit.

These services will be made available with enhanced precautions against the COVID-19 virus.  The safety of our community members is a high priority.

Steps we are taking include:

NURSING HOME

Due to the high mortality rate of COVID-19 for the elderly, the Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will continue to be on lock down to protect our residents.  Visitor access is still not allowed, though staff continues to work with families to provide alternate contact methods with their loved ones.  Nursing Home employees are being screened for symptoms and housekeeping staff are being assigned as temporary Nursing Home employees.  All Nursing Home employees are prohibited from entering the hospital side campus.  Any other employee needing to provide necessary care to a resident is required to suit up into clean gear before passing the threshold, including physicians.  Residents will be provided separate, personalized tray service prepared in a sterile environment.

HOSPITAL & EMERGENCY ROOM

With the drop of COVID inpatients to MCHD, the COVID-19 dedicated wing has been decommissioned until otherwise needed.    Any future positive or suspected COVID patients will be provided the same very specific infection control procedures as other highly contagious diseases.  Staff is trained and experienced to contain and prevent spread should COVID be present again in the hospital.

All who enter the campus will continue to be screened for the protection of staff and patients.  Staff continues to be screened daily and will continue to wear masks

The Emergency Room is available for the community as needed.  Patients are welcome to seek care without worry of COVID infection.  Procedures are in place for your protection and terminal cleaning of rooms and equipment .

Well patients needing routine lab draws will be able to return to the main hospital lab beginning 05/25/2020.

The Labor & Delivery and the Surgery Units will continue to provide an isolated, private, sterile entrance for women in labor and surgical patients.  These patients will continue to be pre-registered by phone.

We are accepting direct admissions and swing bed admissions.

The No Visitor Policy remains in effect with exceptions for Surgery, Labor & Delivery, and Swing Bed patients.  One visitor specified by the patient will be allowed to accompany or visit on site.  Visitors will be screened for disease factors.

A drop box is still available outside the main entrance for patient payment drop offs.  We still urge the community not to enter the hospital unless you are seeking care.

The District will continue to practice other internal infection control procedures until the threat of COVID no longer exists in our community.

OUTPATIENT SERVICES

Outpatient Lab Services

Outpatient labs will return back to the hospital campus on Monday May 25th.  Hours of service for registered patients will revert to 24 hours service.

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy

Moore County Therapy Services will resume operations on site on Monday, May 18th.  Precautions such as screening, masks, and social distancing as possible will remain in effect.

BUSINESS OFFICES

The Patient Financial, Clinic Billing, and Accounting offices will  continue to do business/take payments over the phone and internet, and will reopen to the public for face to face transactions.  YOU MUST WEAR A MASK TO ENTER THE BUILDINGS.  Drop boxes are still available for cash payments or paperwork as well.

PHYSICIAN CLINICS

Family Health Clinic

• Will treat routine visits such as physicals, well patient visits, chronic condition management, etc. on the North side portion of the clinic.
• Telemedicine visits will remain an option.
• Will treat possible COVID patients on the South side portion of the clinic
• Patients who believe they may have COVID will continue to be screened at registration and may be tested in their vehicles or asked to remain in their vehicles until the doctor is ready to bring them back
• Only one visitor will be allowed back into the room with the patient
• Will return to 6 days a week (Monday through Saturday) from 8am to 8pm

Internal Medicine Clinic

• Normal services resume.
• Telemedicine visits will remain an option.

Bone & Joint, Foot & Ankle, General Surgery, and the Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics

• Normal services and operations under local anesthesia will resume
• Postponed surgeries may now proceed
• New surgeries may be accepted and scheduled
• Telemedicine visits remain an option.

You may be tested for COVID-19 in Dumas at a physician's office.  Tests will be based on symptoms and severity to maintain a healthy stock of test kits.   Please contact the physicians' office first to inform them of your visit so they may take necessary precautions.

The hospital is coordinating with area physicians in regards to patients who come into the ER with severe and concerning symptoms.  Please do not access the Emergency Room for COVID testing unless advised to do so by your physician.

Moore County physicians offices that offer testing currently are:

Moore County Family Health Clinic

110 South Bliss

Dumas, TX 79029

(806) 935-1900

Dr. Purl's Fast Care Clinic

1524 Guylane Plaza

Dumas, TX 79029

(806) 948-1459

Dumas Family Practice

120 South Beard

Dumas, TX 79029

(806) 935-9005

The Well Health Center in Cactus

200 Palo Duro

Cactus, TX 79013

(806) 934-5755

Dr. Carmen Purl

110 E 4th St

Sunray, TX 79086

(806) 948-1459

YES.  Absolutely.

The COVID-19 virus affects the respiratory system.  Treatment of pneumonia and respiratory distress is very common in our facility.  Our staff is trained and experienced and has the knowledge to care for these patients.

Should the patient develop symptoms requiring a higher level of care, such as in cases of cardiac distress, we may transfer them to another area hospital with access to needed equipment and specialists.

The District DOES have ventilator capability and we have been planning and procuring as much necessary supplies and equipment as we can in the instance of a large influx of inpatients to our facility.

Though our COVID unit has been decommissioned due to lack of COVID over an extended period of time, we are able to recommission the unit quickly and effectively as needed.

If need be, our new patient care wing is close enough to completion that in a worse-case scenario, we could certainly house patients who need care within it.

We are thinking and planning about every possible eventuality and will do what ever is necessary at the time in order to take care of our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BASIC INFORMATION

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a type of coronavirus (which typically causes the common cold) that effects the respiratory system.  A virus is a tiny organism that enters the human body and multiplies by making copies of itself in the cells of its host.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person by means of droplets.  When someone coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets containing the virus become airborne.  These droplets then either land on a surface or directly fall on or enter another person while airborne.  When the virus lands on a surface that is touched by someone, the virus clings to the new person and enters the body when the individual touches their face.

COVID-19 was first identified during an outbreak in Wuhan China in late 2019.  Since being identified, COVID-19 has been spread by normal means across borders to surrounding countries by individuals who were infected

SYMPTOMS

Since COVID-19 is a virus that effects the respiratory system, the main symptoms are fever and respiratory-related ailments, such as a cough (usually dry or without producing mucus) and shortness of breath.

The majority (the World Health Organization estimates 80%) of those who get COVID-19 recover from the disease without any need of special treatment.  Most individuals will have mild symptoms.

Some patients have experienced more flu-like symptoms such as aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, a sore throat, or diarrhea.  Newer identified symptoms include: new loss of smell and/or taste, rashes or discoloration specific to the feet or toes.

About 1 in 6 people who contract COVID-19 will have severe symptoms with respiratory distress. The most extreme cases have resulted in double-lung pneumonia, multiple-organ failure, and in some instances, death.

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS

Emergency warning signs are: difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or disorientation, the inability to arouse from sleep, and blueish lips or face.  If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, seek emergency help immediately.  This list of emergency symptoms is not all inclusive, so if you experience other symptoms that are severe or concerning, please contact a medical professional immediately.

The CDC estimates that symptoms appear between 2-14 days after exposure due to the observed incubation time of the virus.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Those most susceptible to have a severe episode are the elderly, those who have compromised immune systems, or those who have a chronic illness such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or the like.

PREVENTION

Since the COVID-19 virus enters the body through touch, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with plain soap and water.  Viruses are killed by soap and water because soap dissolves the delicate outside membrane of the virus, causing it to fall apart.  This is the most cost efficient way to kill this virus.

Hand sanitizers will also kill COVID-19 but must remain on the skin for a recommended amount of time.  Be sure to check to see how long it needs to be on your hands before it kills the virus.

Disinfect “high-touch” surfaces daily.  These include doorknobs, phones, light switches, toilet handles, counter tops, cabinet doors, etc. These are the places that are touched multiple times a day by multiple people.

Maintain a distance from others who are sneezing or coughing to prevent the droplets from entering through your nose or mouth.  The WHO recommends three feet.  You will hear this being referred to as "social distancing" in the media.

Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Avoid traveling to places where COVID-19 is prevalent.

Avoid being in the company of those who contract COVID-19, regardless of how mild their symptoms are.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SICK

First of all: DON'T PANIC

Stay at home unless you need to seek medical care.

AT HOME:

• Try to isolate yourself from family members.
• Don’t share household items.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands.
• Continue to disinfect your home.
• If your symptoms are mild, treat them like you would a common cold with over the counter medications for symptoms, stay hydrated, and rest.  The majority of cases fall into this category.
• Be sure to monitor your symptoms and fever (if present) for any changes and if anything seems wrong, or if the changes are concerning, call your physician as soon as possible.  If symptoms start to become severe (see the "When should I go to the Emergency Room section) head to the Emergency Room.  If possible, call the ER to let them know you are on your way.

SEEKING MEDICAL CARE

If your symptoms start to become worse with shortness of breath, fever and cough; contact a local clinic first to let them know you need to be seen.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to call ahead first so the doctor’s office can prepare by taking infection prevention measures before your arrival.

When you leave the house, cover your face with a mask or cloth to stop the droplets from spreading.

Your doctor’s office will then guide you with next steps depending on your personal needs; the severity of your condition, your personal health risk factors, your family situation, etc.

It is possible that you may be tested and placed on quarantine, or be asked to self-quarantine at home.

WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM

The signs specific to COVID-19 that indicate you are having an emergency and should go to the ER are:

• Difficulty Breathing (most common)
• Very High Fever (most common)
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion or disorientation
• The inability to arouse from sleep
• Blueish lips or face.

If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency help immediately.

** Please note that this list of emergency symptoms is not all inclusive, so if you experience other symptoms that are severe or concerning, please contact a medical professional immediately or go to the emergency room.

The CDC (Center of Disease Control) is the nation's health protection agency.

The WHO (World Health Organization) is a global public health organization run by the United Nations.

The Texas Department of State Health Service (DSHS) is our local resource for health information, including current viral outbreaks.

These three organizations have extensive and comprehensive information about the COVID-19 virus that they update almost daily.  They provide information in easy to understand language in order to educate the public.  They are also the front line when it comes to diseases in the community.

CDC - WEBSITE

WHO - WEBSITE

DSHS - WEBSITE