The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The virus is primarily spread from person to person — mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes — and is affecting many countries worldwide.

We are feeling the direct impact in our community.

This resource center aims to share information about the coronavirus in an effort to keep you informed and educated. Click on the tabs above to explore the different sections.

Ongoing Updates from Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

At Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, we have a team of experts carefully monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. Out of an abundance of caution for our patients, families and staff, we have implemented new screening and visiting policies. These policies will ensure the safety for all those who enter a Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare facility.

The new adult hospital measures — along with other changes or updates at our MLH facilities — are outlined below.

Resuming services at MLH facilities

After careful consideration for the safety of patients, Associates and providers at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, MLH resumed some elective procedures on May 4. MLH consulted with its physician leaders and nursing staff to develop a safe plan to gradually resume elective procedures across the health system.

Methodist’s top priority is providing the best healthcare for patients in the safest environment for employees, providers, patients and the community.

In addition to some elective procedures resuming, MLH will also accept well-patient visits in its hospitals, physician practices, minor medical centers and diagnostic centers. This phased-in approach ensures MLH facilities have sufficient supplies, staffing and other critical resources. MLH is continuing to embrace new ways to serve its patients that minimize physical contact and protect their wellbeing.

Safety protocols include:

• Health screening upon entrance to any MLH facilities for all visitors and staff
• Limiting visitors (more information below)
• Testing MLH providers and staff who have direct contact with COVID-19 patients
• Providing masks to every patient and visitor
• Providing hand sanitizer in all public areas so that it is easily accessible to patients
• Adding further cleaning and disinfecting practices in addition to our comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing processes already in place
• Virtual and in-person COVID clinic to provide safe monitoring and specialized care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19; including patients discharged from the hospital
• Conducting virtual appointments and post-operative home monitoring via telehealth

MLH providers will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect patients and themselves while providing the best possible care.

Click here for additional information about what we're doing to keep patients safe while resuming services.

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Visitor policy — Visiting is suspended

To protect our patients, staff, visitors and community, all visiting is being suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat.

No visitors will be allowed in rooms of patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests.

We recognize there are times when having a visitor or family member present is crucial. In these cases, visitors will be allowed based on the situations listed below.

Please note these exceptions only apply if a visitor screens negative based on travel, contact with known or suspected COVID-19 patients or symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath).

Situations include:

• One parent or legal guardian of the patient who is a minor.
• Obstetric patients may have one support person to accompany them.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients may have two parents who must remain in the room the duration of the visit.
• Patients at end-of-life may have a very limited number of visitors who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.
• Patients where the family member provides safety (e.g., altered mental or physical status or developmental delay) or is key to patient care (e.g., disruptive behavior) may have one visitor who must stay in the room for the duration of the visit.
• Patients requiring a home caregiver to be trained must stay in the room for the duration of the visit.
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor before and immediately after the procedure/surgery.
• Patients undergoing outpatient surgery or procedures may have one visitor before and immediately after the surgery/procedure.

Our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be part of the healing process. The decision to restrict visitors was difficult and made only after careful consideration with our medical staff.

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Screening Patients, Visitors, Associates and Physicians at hospital entry points.

We implemented employee and physician screening on March 19 with all six MLH hospitals. That was expanded to all other MLH facilities on March 23.  

Screenings questions include the CDC's current recommended testing criteria, which will cover symptoms, exposure and travel history, as well as a temperature check.

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Primary Care and Elective Procedures

If a patient had a visit or procedure postponed due to COVID-19, the patient’s provider will contact them to reschedule.

MLH physicians are prioritizing procedures and working to reopen all elective services and routine care in the safest possible manner. Patients should contact their provider if they have any questions or concerns.

Patients should call their provider’s office if they are ill or have other health care needs. The patient’s provider will work with them to determine whether an in-person or telehealth visit is best for their individual situation. If a patient is scheduled for an in-person visit or procedure in the office or hospital, they will be screened upon entrance to the facility.

If you need a primary care physician, visit https://www.methodisthealth.org/primarycare

We continue to schedule office appointments for patients with non-respiratory and non-flu ACUTE problems (ex: injury or abdominal pain), so please contact the practice as you normally would if you have other health concerns.

We also ask that those of you with upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms call your primary care provider’s office right away, and alert the staff of your symptoms. Someone will follow up with you by telephone as soon as possible and advise you to do one of the following:

Confirm that you should come to the physician’s office

Refer you to a COVID-19 testing facility

Refer you to the Emergency Department, IF YOUR SYMPTOMS WARRANT. If you are referred to an Emergency Department, we will ask you to call in advance of your arrival so proper precautions can be taken

Counsel you on quarantine and self-care at home, if appropriate

Schedule a telehealth visit (more information below)

Schedule a follow-up phone call to check on your status

In the interest of everyone’s health and safety, we will not be able to accommodate walk-in appointments until further notice.

More from Your Health: I’m sick and worried about the coronavirus: Do I stay at home, call my physician or do I need to visit the ER?

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Minor Meds

Our Minor Medical Centers are open typically open 7 days a week with no appointment necessary. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all locations will be closed on Sundays in May. This policy will continue to be reevaluated.

If you would like to set up a telehealth appointment, call ahead to the location you would typically visit.

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Antibody Testing

Methodist Minor Medical Centers will now be offering COVID-19 antibody testing.

This test is intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals that had an illness that may have been COVID-19 and have since developed an immunity to the disease. At this time, it is not known how long antibodies persist following infection or whether the presence of antibodies means you have protective immunity from COVID-19.

Negative results do not rule out COVID-19 infection, particularly in those who have been in recent contact with the virus.

For more information on antibody testing, please call your local Minor Medical Center location.

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Teleheath

Telehealth is a way to provide patients access to high quality care while limiting contact exposure for patients and caregivers alike and conserving PPE supplies. With telehealth, patient “visits” with providers are performed remotely with the help of telephone and video.

MLH offers telehealth at our Methodist Medical Group primary care practices, as well as in specialty practices in the areas of cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, allergy, endocrinology, sickle cell and many more.

Certain types of patient visits lend themselves more to telehealth, such as lower respiratory symptoms that might be flu, allergy symptoms or COVID-19, and follow up visits for chronic conditions. Ask your provider if a telehealth visit is right for you.

Learn more about our telehealth services

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Classes at MLH Facilities

Due to the presence of COVID-19 in our community, classes are subject to cancelation or rescheduling. 

Classes for May and June at Germantown may not show in the listing below, but there are some courses available. Please reach out via the numbers listed on our Class Finder if you have any questions.

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Plasma Donation and Treatment

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is participating in Mayo Clinic’s Expanded Access Protocol for Convalescent Plasma Program for treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Researchers believe receiving convalescent plasma may help current COVID-19 patients with advanced illness.

Learn more about the program and how you can help by clicking on the tab at the top of this page.

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MLH Spiritual Care Helpline

In this unique time, we have launched a 24/7 Spiritual Care Helpline for adult and pediatric spiritual care. Any patient, family member, Associate or physician who desires to connect with a MLH chaplain can do so by calling the adult or pediatric spiritual care phone number.

Patients who cannot receive visitors are highly encouraged to use the helpline. 

One-on-one spiritual care support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Adult Spiritual Care: (901) 516-7877

Pediatric Spiritual Care: (901) 297-2388 

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Virtual Support Group for Community Mental Health Providers

As the impact of COVID-19 extends into our community, the mental health burden is continuing to grow. As ethical practitioners, we acknowledge that we need to be mentally well in order to continue in our important work of serving others.

This group is meant to be a place of non-judgmental support for Mid-South mental health professionals as they cope with their own emotions related to COVID-19 — so that they can best continue to meet the mental health needs of the community during this challenging time.

When: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday via Zoom meeting 

Register in advance: ZOOM MEETING REGISTRATION

 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please call your primary care physician if you have been exposed to the new coronavirus, believe you may have been exposed or travelled internationally and have symptoms such as fever, chills or cough. Your physician will help guide you to the appropriate resources for testing and/or treatment.