Box Butte General Hospital offers clarifications on visitor policies:
* All patients and visitor or support person will be screened at the entrances of the hospital and clinic according to CDC guidelines
* Visitors or support person are limited to one individual per patient
* Do not bring more than one visitor or support person with you to your scheduled appointment.
* No visitors under the age of 19.
* For Labor and Delivery, one designated visitor or support person is allowed.
* When you arrive, please go directly to your destination and eliminate conversations in hallways.
* Wash your hands frequently.
For the safety of our staff, patients, and the public these rules are in effect in all departments of the hospital. Special circumstances will be evaluated by hospital personnel. This is in direct response to decreasing the contact between individuals upon Gov. Pete Ricketts’ direction.
Box Butte General Hospital is also suspending services at the clinics in Hemingford and Hyannis until further notice. Patients currently scheduled in Hemingford and Hyannis will be rescheduled in Alliance. The length of closure will be re-evaluated each week. All patients are currently being seen at Greater Nebraska Medical and Surgical Services in Alliance. Please call ahead with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat for evaluation before your scheduled visit.
Telehealth and telephone appointments are rapidly developing as an alternative to being seen in the clinic. Please watch for further details about what types of appointments qualify. If you need an appointment with your primary care provider, please call the clinic at 308.762.7244. Employers should encourage their staff to stay home if sick instead of recommending getting tested for COVID-19. The PPHD recommends staying at home if sick, as there is not a large stockpile of tests available, and a majority of people who have the virus are able recover at home without complications.
Hospital personnel are closely monitoring the recommendations from the CDC and Panhandle Public Health District as situations develop. Thank you for your patience and help in reducing the spread of Coronavirus.