March 16, 2020- Chadron Community Hospital is expanding the current visitor restrictions to protect our patients and providers. These restrictions will be implemented at all Chadron Community Hospital healthcare facilities including Western Community Health Resources, Prairie Pines Lodge and Legend Buttes Health Services. Visitors 18 years and younger will not be allowed to visit, unless they are a patient or parent of a patient.
In addition, every visitor will be screened and asked three questions.
1. Have you had a fever in the past 24 hours?
2. Have you had a cough or shortness of breath in the past 24 hours?
3. Have you traveled outside the Panhandle in the past 14 days?
If the visitor answers "YES" to any of the above questions they will not be allowed to enter the facility. If they are seeking care, they will be required to put on a mask before entering.
All visitors will need to check in at the hospital admissions. After Chadron Medical Clinic business hours (9am-5pm) all patients and visitors must enter through the Chadron Hospital emergency room doors. We are asking anyone in the western Nebraska region who has potentially been exposed to COVID-19 and has a fever, cough, or shortness of breath call 308-432-5586 before coming to any Chadron Community Hospital healthcare facility. Healthcare providers will determine if the patient can be cared for at home or if screening is necessary.
Remember, the best way to protect yourself from all respiratory viruses, includes washing your hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue in the trash, stay home when you are sick and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.
CCH&HS asks for your cooperation as we all try to limit the spread of coronavirus in our communities. If you believe that you have COVID-19, and if you are not having trouble breathing, you may be safer at home. There is no distinctive treatment for COVID-19 and the ER is not an appropriate triage center for people who are not in respiratory distress.
Information is changing quickly. For the most current information on COVID-19 please refer to Panhandle Public Health Districts website at pphd.org. For current Nebraska and national information visit cdc.gov.