COVID-19: Latest local updates from Baxter Regional Medical Center
At Baxter Regional Medical Center, we're taking extra precautions to keep
you safe. Now more than ever, a clean, safe environment for patient care
is our commitment.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the safety precautions being taken at all Baxter Regional
locations.
Baxter Regional Medical Center and other healthcare providers and state
agencies are working together to address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
in Arkansas. In an effort to decrease possible exposure to patients, hospitals
are limiting the numbers of visitors. Arkansans with questions or concerns
about possible symptoms are asked to refrain from going directly to the
hospital and instead utilize other screening resources available across
the state like those below.
Several Coronavirus Hotlines have been set up for people who have questions
or feel they may have symptoms:
If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, call to speak with an
ACH nurse. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Arkansas Department of Health: Call
(800) 803-7847 or email
ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Call
(800) 554-5738 after normal business hours for urgent calls needing immediate response.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636)
Baxter Regional COVID-19 Screening Tool
Have you had contact with anyone who has lab-confirmed COVID-19?
Are you experiencing any of the following COVID-19 symptoms: fever (100.0°
F or higher), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle
or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea, vomiting
or diarrhea?
If you answered YES to either question above, call your Primary Care Provider.
UAMS HealthNow is available for all Arkansans to undergo free COVID-19 screenings at
UAMSHealth.com/healthnow. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to patients of
all ages and is accessible from any smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer
with video capabilities. The screening is not a test to determine if a
patient has COVID-19 but may result in a recommendation for testing by
the Arkansas Department of Health.
Scheduled drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. weekdays, under the awning of the Baxter Regional East Entrance.
If you need a COVID-19 test, please call
(870) 508-7047 to schedule an appointment.
Baxter Regional is currently hosting scheduled drive-thru COVID-19 testing
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, under the awning of the Baxter Regional
East Entrance. There is no out-of-pocket cost for this testing. Anyone
interested in receiving a COVID-19 test may call
(870) 508-7047 to schedule an appointment.
Free COVID-19 testing is provided by the Arkansas Department of Health
at all Local Health Units. For the full list of locations offering testing
and contact information, visit
https://bit.ly/31ZbsDI.
Baxter Regional is enforcing strict visitor guidelines until further notice
(see below).
Baxter Regional Clinics continue to see patients for appointments via
telemedicine, phone and in the clinic. Patients and those with them are all undergoing
a health screening.
Baxter Regional will continue to communicate regularly with the Arkansas
Department of Health (ADH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in an effort to share resources and information pertaining to COVID-19.
Collaboration between various community officials and leaders will be
ongoing to ensure that patients and employees remain safe and informed.
Those who are interested in COVID-19 Antibody testing (ventipuncture/blood
test) may self-refer (walk-in only) to Admissions, Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for the test is $145, and payment is required
upfront. Enter the the facility through the Main Entrance; masks are required
and anyone entering the facility is screened.
This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, and the
CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition
to updated guidance.
All access points into Baxter Regional Medical Center are restricted to
the following entrances:
- Medical Arts Building Entrance (Open Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Main Entrance (Open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- Cline Emergency Center Entrance (Open 24/7 all days of the week)
All patients, visitors, employees and physicians will be temperature screened
at the entrances mentioned above before they will be granted access into
the facility.
Masks or face coverings are required to enter any Baxter Regional facility. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided. This applies to the
hospital as well as Baxter Regional clinics.
Masks with valves are not allowed. Bandanas and single-layer neck gaiters
are strongly discouraged. Bandanas and gaiters may be doubled to provide
two layers of protection.
Only one visitor aged 18 years and older per patient is allowed in the
Cline Emergency Center.
All other patients are allowed two visitors aged 12 years and older.
Patients with a suspected or lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 are not allowed visitors.
In the interest of keeping patients safe and in preparation for COVID-19,
all non-essential visitors and vendors are suspended from entering the
facility until further notice.
Coronaviruses are a common family of viruses (the common cold is among
them). This particular strain is called COVID-19 and can be spread from
person to person via respiratory droplets, similar to how the flu is spread.
It can also be spread by touching a surface that has the virus on it and
then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
COVID-19 was first detected in China and has now spread to over 100 locations
internationally. On March 11, 2020, the
World Health Organization officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. On March 13, 2020, COVID-19
was officially declared a national emergency by the United States.
Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness
and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Symptoms typically appear within
2-14 days after exposure.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,
muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea,
vomiting or diarrhea.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are common in people and different
species of animals, including cattle, camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal
coronaviruses can infect people and spread from person to person. The
current outbreak of respiratory disease is caused by a novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) that was first detected in China.
Similar to the flu or other respiratory infections, COVID-19 is mainly
spread from person to person. A spread is most likely to happen between
people in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Although not believed to be the primary way the virus spreads, it may be
possible for a person to contract COVID-19 by touching a contaminated
surface or object and then touching their nose, mouth or eyes.
Certain populations are believed to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness,
including older adults and people with underlying chronic health conditions
like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. If you are at high risk,
limit travel and close contact with others, wash your hands frequently
and talk to your doctor about what to do if you get sick.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any
of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: trouble breathing,
persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to
wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.
Please call your PCP for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
In an emergency, call 911. Notify the operator that you are seeking care
for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
How to Protect Yourself and Others
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Take steps to protect yourself:
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.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use
the inside of your elbow.
Put distance between yourself and other people.
This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting
very sick.
Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when around others.
Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth!
Stay home if you’re sick.
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
