A new check-in procedure is in place at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) and all PMC clinics. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, everyone who enters the hospital or one of PMC’s clinics is being checked for fever and new onset of shortness of breath.
Employees and visitors alike will be checked. It is recommended that anyone with a temperature of 100.1 degrees or higher stay home.
PMC Medical Director of Infectious Disease, Fadi Al Akhrass, MD said, “People can actually have a fever and not show any other symptoms. We want everyone to be safe, and this is one way we can identify those who may be sick and not know it.”
Dr. Fadi says fever is a symptom in the majority of coronavirus cases, so this newest checkpoint could make a difference in identifying those who are just beginning to get sick. He says having chills and body aches are a big indicator of fever, but there is no real way of knowing for sure besides actually taking your temperature.
PMC policies of social distancing (staying six feet away from others), discontinuing dining-in food service, restricted visitation (one visitor for each patient and only one person can assist patients at doctor visits) and now checking everyone on campus for fever are all efforts to keep our patients, community, and staff safe.
PMC is committed to going the extra mile to protect and serve our region.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call 1-800-722-5725 or call your family practice physician. Additional information about COVID-19 and the policies in place at PMC are available at www.pikevillehospital.org/covid19/.
