The response across the country and throughout the state of Indiana to COVID-19 continues to change rapidly. In an effort to keep up with these changes – enforced for the maximum protection and safety of our staff, patients, and community at-large – we have compiled a list of updates and reminders to share with our community. Please know that this information will continue to be updated as it changes with direction from the CDC, the Indiana State Department of Health, and the Indiana Governor’s office.
See the latest COVID-19 updates from LMH
Guidelines for elective surgeries
Logansport Memorial Hospital (LMH) is following the recommendation from the Surgeon General and our Indiana Governor regarding the cancellation of elective surgeries. Effective immediately, LMH will use the following criteria when determining which elective surgeries to cancel and reschedule:
- Physicians at LMH will continue to perform procedures that are necessary to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects on their patients’ overall health. This is in exact accordance with the guidelines issued by Governor Holcomb.
- The physician will decide whether or not an elective procedure should be cancelled or rescheduled. It is up to the physician to decide if cancelling or postponing the surgery will have a negative impact on the patient’s overall health.
- Patients will be notified by phone if their elective surgery is going to be cancelled or postponed, based on the physician’s decision.
Surgeries of any kind – necessary, elective or otherwise – have always been performed with the safety of the patient as the first priority. Patient safety continues to be our highest priority under these revised guidelines.
Keeping scheduled appointments
Visits that are not an emergency in our primary care and specialty care offices are being evaluated for possible rescheduling if the patient meets either of the following criteria:
- 60 years of age and older and/or have a co-morbid condition (immune-compromised, diabetes, CHF, COPD, hypertension)
- LMH providers are actively reviewing their schedules and evaluating the necessity of individual patient appointments to make sure that all of our patients stay healthy. Patients will be notified by phone if they are identified for rescheduling.
- If you have a wellness visit scheduled and do not meet either of the above criteria, please keep your appointment but follow our limited visitor restrictions policy.
- Pediatric patients should plan to keep appointments scheduled for their children for immunizations and well-visits, specifically for newborns. Otherwise, the pediatricians are reviewing their schedules to determine which patients with acute health issues should continue to be seen for diagnosis and treatment.
Telehealth options
We are exploring the possibility of implementing telehealth services as an option for primary care with some of our providers. We are moving quickly to finalize the process and will be sharing more information very soon about that as an option for our community.
Work notes for employees
We understand the concerns that employees and employers may have for keeping their workforces healthy during this time. Employees should discuss their concerns with their employer regarding possible exposure to COVID-19 at work.
- The testing criteria for Logansport and Cass County has been outlined by LMH and the Cass County Health Department. If you do not have the identified symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), you will not be tested for COVID-19.
- Work notes will only be given if a patient is tested for COVID-19, to cover the initial self-isolation period while we wait for test results.
- If the test results are negative, return-to-work directions will be given.
- If the test results are positive, an additional work note will be provided to cover the duration of their isolation.
Online appointment requests
Online appointment requests are still being submitted successfully. With limitations on our resources due to COVID-19, we may not be following up with your online appointment requests within the promised time frame.
- You may continue to submit online appointment requests, but please expect a delayed response.
- If you are experiencing a true emergency, please call 911. If you would like a more prompt response to make a necessary appointment, please call the provider’s office instead. Phone numbers for each provider can be found on the LMH website.
REMINDER: testing criteria
LMH and the Cass County Health Department previously issued the following criteria for testing in Logansport and Cass County:
- Only individuals who are showing symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and have tested negative for other illnesses, will be tested for COVID-19. If you do not have these symptoms, or any symptoms of illness, you will not be tested.
- If you have these symptoms, or other flu-like symptoms, please call your primary care provider’s office first. Please call in before you come in to the hospital. Your symptoms can be assessed over the phone to determine if you need further treatment. You may be directed by your provider’s office to report to Express Medical Center for testing.
- If you do not have a primary care provider, please call ahead to Logansport Memorial’s Express Medical Center at (574) 722-9633 and describe your symptoms. You may be directed to come in for testing, depending on the assessment.
REMINDER: restricted visitation
Increased visitor restrictions have been implemented at LMH, effective until further notice:
- One visitor per patient for their entire stay (from admission to discharge)
- For patients keeping scheduled appointments, please try not to bring visitors with you unless absolutely necessary. If needed, please only bring one additional healthy visitor with you.
- For patients under the age of 18, only one approved parent or guardian will be allowed with them for appointments or procedures.
Otherwise, no visitors under the age of 18 (including siblings and children) are allowed on campus at this time.
REMINDER: exit promptly
No patients or approved visitors should walk excessively around the LMH campus at this time. Please keep your appointment and/or make your visit with your patient and promptly exit the facility.
REMINDER: stay home and wash your hands
Social distancing initiatives are being implemented across the state and country as protective measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Please follow these initiatives and remember the key preventive actions:
- Stay home, except to seek necessary medical care. The vast majority of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 will only experience mild symptoms and will not require hospitalization. For mild symptoms, begin with rest, drinking plenty of fluids (especially water), and monitoring your temperature. If your symptoms become severe, call your primary care provider’s office first.
- The best preventive action is to wash your hands 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.
Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we continue to address COVID-19 in our community.
