Coronavirus 19

Updates

  1. Seminole Hospital District is updating their current COVID protocols. Due to the rapid increase and severity of the COVID cases, an emergency medical staff meeting was convened to act in the best interest of the community, staff, and patients. Effective August 18th, the new COVID protocols will include the following:

    1. All visitors and staff will be screened for COVID at the entrance of the hospital and will be required to wear a surgical mask. If patients don’t have one, one will be provided to them. (Cloth masks are unacceptable)
    2. All staff, regardless of COVID immunization status, must wear surgical mask or higher when involved directly with patient care. If known COVID patient, or patient with COVID like symptoms, an N95 mask is required.
    3. Admin staff and those not directly involved with patient care must wear surgical mask or N95 if not vaccinated.
    4. COVID patients are allowed to designate one visitor only during their stay.
    5. Labor patients are allowed to designate two visitors during their stay.
    6. Non COVID Med Surg patients may have 2 visitors per 24-hour period.
    7. Emergency room patients are allowed to designate one visitor.
    8. Waiting rooms will be shut down for the time being.

    Seminole Hospital District is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Walmart, CVS, and the South Plains Public Health District are all providing vaccines locally in town. If you have questions regarding the vaccine, vaccine options, or whether you should get vaccinated, please see your provider or your department head for more information. We appreciate the community’s cooperation as we implement these new protocols. Please remember that the Memorial Health Care Center (Nursing Home) and Memorial Place Assisted Living continue to be under more stringent protocols.

  2. Gov. Abbott’s announcement today regarding “businesses opening to 100%” does not impact hospitals and health services.  We will continue to comply with CDC and state regulations regarding masks, screening, visitors and Covid prevention procedures until we receive further notice from these agencies.

  3. As COVID numbers are decreasing the state has placed the visitation policy at the hospital’s discretion, so we have decided to increase visitation to all units in the hospital to 2 at a time, but still no one under the age of 18 effective tomorrow 2/23/2021. We do still have to continue with screening and mask wearing for at least another 60 days per the state mandate. Please understand if there is another spike we will have to reevaluate, and/ or the state will reevaluate for us.

  4. Memorial Place Assisted Living has been following the Texas Governor’s orders as well as following all guidance and required actions from the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services related to Covid-19 infection control. With this being said, an employee of Memorial Place Assisted Living has tested positive for COVID-19 on 8/26/20. The facility will be working closely with Texas Health and Human Services and the health department to make sure we continue to follow all guidelines set for Texas assisted living facilities.  We will monitor all residents and staff closely and will keep the community informed. Due to the positive COVID-19 Case and current HHSC Guidelines, a delay in the Phase 1 Visitation for Memorial Place Assisted Living will occur.

  5. Memorial Health Care Center has been following the Texas Governor’s orders as well as following all guidance and required actions from the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services related to Covid-19 infection control. With this being said, an employee of Memorial Health Care Center has tested positive for COVID-19 on 7/22/20. The facility will be working closely with Texas Health and Human Services and the Gaines County Health Department to make sure we continue to follow all guidelines set for Texas Nursing Homes. We will monitor all residents and staff closely and will keep the community informed.

Seminole Hospital District has remained open and operational since the COVID-19 pandemic began earlier this year. We strive to continue providing our published health care services as we continue to manage this disease.  As you know, the number of COVID-19 cases in West Texas continues to increase and we remain diligent to ensure we do our part to minimize cases in Gaines County. The good news is that there are many exciting developments regarding therapeutics and vaccinations.

 

Vaccinations at Seminole Hospital District

The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is coming directly from the state to hospitals, medical centers, and provider offices. The state is sending exactly the number of doses to complete the first vaccine immunization for each staff member at each facility. For Skilled Nursing Facilities, the vaccine is being distributed through CVS (Seminole’s distributor) and Walgreens. This distribution is under the Phase 1A priorities listed below.

Once the Phase 1A priorities have been largely completed, the state will then release vaccine for the Phase 1B priorities. This distribution will be through CVS and the community will be notified when they will be able to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.  The vaccine for Phase 1B priorities will not be through the hospital.

Gaines County and Seminole City staff, in conjunction with the Health Department and the Hospital, are drafting a plan to send to the State.  The plan should put the county and city in line to receive vaccine when it is available.  We will continue to keep everyone informed as additional information is received from the state.

Texas Phase 1A COVID-19 Vaccine Priorities
  • Staff and residents of long term care facilities
  • Front Line Healthcare Workers
Texas Phase 1B COVID-19 Vaccine Priorities

People 65 years of age and older

People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
  • Solid organ transplantation
  • Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Testing at Seminole Hospital District

For COVID-19 testing, the District is not a designated testing center. We have an obligation to test inpatients admitted to our hospital, certain outpatients who have symptoms (with provider order for testing), and patients scheduled for surgery. In addition, we have a state requirement to regularly test residents and staff in our nursing home and assisted living facilities. We remain limited in our ability to provide broad testing capability due to the obligations above and availability of testing supplies. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we combat this continued pandemic.

 

What To Do

If you are a patient of one of our physicians or nurse practitioners and develop the following symptoms, please call your provider directly. Please note that you may or may not be tested for COVID-19, even with some symptoms. The order to be COVID-19 tested must come from your provider.

Symptoms
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
Practitioners

Dr. Parkey | 432-758-4729

Dr. Myrick| 432-758-4799

Dr. Sayegh | 432-758-4777

Dr. Watson | 432-758-4774

Dr. Layman | 432-758-6363

FNP Kristi Morris | 432-758-4711

FNP Brock Morris | 432-758-4711

If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 and/or go to the emergency room. If you are not sure if your symptoms are serious enough for immediate medical attention, please contact primary care provider.

Serious Medical Symptoms
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
  • Difficulty speaking;
  • Sudden face drooping;
  • Chest or upper abdominal pressure or pain;
  • Seizure;
  • Confusion;
  • Any sudden or severe pain;
  • Uncontrolled bleeding; or
  • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Severe headache
  • Serious burns or injuries

If you simply want to get tested and have no symptoms, please utilize any of the following testing centers:

Gaines County Testing Location

Permian Regional Medical Center- Quick Care Clinic
1411 N. Main Street
Andrews, TX 79714
432-464-2584 | 432-464-2586
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Must meet criteria. If exposed, we recommend waiting 4 days from exposure for testing

Lubbock Testing Locations

Covenant COVID-19 Hotline
806-725-8378

Covenant Urgent Care Clinic
1910 Quaker Avenue, Suite 101
Lubbock, TX 79407
806-725-4440
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Adult COVID-19 Testing only. Must meet criteria.

Covenant Health Plus
7601 Quaker Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79424
806-725-9444
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9am – 7pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Adult COVID-19 Testing only. Must meet criteria.

Covenant Children’s Urgent Care Clinic
5202 82nd Street
Lubbock, TX 79424
806-725-7337
Monday – Friday 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 9am – 7pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Pediatric COVID-19 Testing only. Must meet criteria.

UMC COVID-19 Hotline
806-761-0111
7am – 7pm daily

UMC Express Care Clinic (South Plains Mall)
6002 Slide Road
Lubbock, TX 79424
806-761-0450
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm

UMC Urgent Care Kings Park
7501 Quaker Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79424
806-788-3306
Monday – Friday: 8am – 9pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 6pm
All ages testing

UMC Clinics with Rapid Testing
Patients must meet specific criteria
UMC 1-27 Medical Clinic
UMC Orchard Park Family Medicine
UMC Northwest Pediatrics
UMC Milwaukee Family Medicine
UMC West Wind Primary Health Center
UMC Wolfforth Clinic

Lea County Testing Locations

New Mexico COVID-19 Hotline
855-600-3453

Jal Clinic
805 W Kansas Avenue
Jal, NM 88252
575-395-3400
Monday – Thursday: 8am – 5pm
Friday: 8am – 12pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
All ages testing. Must schedule appointment for drive-thru testing. No criteria.

Lea County Department of Health – Hobbs
1923 N. Dal Paso, Suite B
Hobbs, NM 88240
575-397-2463
Monday – Friday: 8a.m. – 5p.m.
Drive-Thru Testing Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7am – 10:30am
All ages testing. Must schedule appointment for drive-thru testing. No criteria.

Nor-Lea Hospital District
Lea County Fairgrounds
302 N. 5th Street
Lovington, NM 88260
575-396-2853
Monday – Friday: 8am – 12pm & 1pm – 5pm
All ages testing. Must schedule appointment for drive-thru testing. No criteria.

PLAN OF ACTION – COVID 19 IMPACT

Seminole Hospital District has made several changes to protect the community, patients, providers and staff as we respond to the COVID 19 virus.  We appreciate your understanding and support as we pull together as a community regarding this issue. Please remember that 85% of the population in the U.S. diagnosed with COVID 19 experienced either mild or no symptoms  and recovered quickly.  Individuals who are over 65, have heart disease, lung disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or other immune  compromising conditions are at the highest risk.

See How We're Continuing to Support Our Community

General Information

FACE MASKS

All visitors and staff will be screened for COVID at the entrance of the hospital and will be required to wear a surgical mask. If patients don’t have one, one will be provided to them. Cloth masks are unacceptable.

MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE CENTER AND MEMORIAL PLACE ASSISTED LIVING

We have been advised by the state that the current no visitor policy for nursing homes and assisted living facilities will remain in place through July 31, 2020.  While the rest of the state is beginning to open up, there is no change in this current policy.  We recognize the burden this places on residents and their families, and our staff would appreciate a change as well.  Until there is a regulation change, we must continue to honor the law.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

VISITORS

Individuals may enter the hospital and clinic entrances from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The clinic entrance will be open for access to the Seminole Community Pharmacy only until 6:00 p.m.
For all other times, the only entrance available will be through the Emergency Room.
All visitors will be screened at each entrance. Please understand that if you do not pass the screening criteria, you will not be allowed into the building.  If you are a patient, you will be taken to be evaluated by a provider.
Each inpatient will be allowed one visitor as a support person. The patient will designate the support person by name.  The support person will be screened each time they visit.