Note: this is a dated post. For the full list of updates from Self Regional Healthcare about Coronavirus, please visit https://www.selfregional.org/coronavirus

COVID-19 Updates 03/20/2020, 4:45 p.m. 

In this update:

  • All elective surgeries on hold
  • Reminder: Self Regional COVID-19 screening line is only for Lakelands residents
  • Reminder: Self Regional Drive-Through specimen collection site is by appointment only, please call screening line to see if you meet DHEC criteria
  • Overflow tents being prepared
  • Critical mask shortage: we need your help

Self Regional will pause all elective surgeries for 3 weeks

In following with Governor’s recommendations to temporarily stop all elective cases, beginning Monday, 3/23/20 Self Regional will pause all elective surgeries for 3 weeks. Elective surgery scheduling will be allowed to resume on 4/13/20. The situation in our area will be continually monitored and the hold on elective surgeries may need to be extended, depending on the COVID-19 situation in our service area.  However, for now, we will put in place the 3 week pause starting Monday. What is an elective case will need to be at the judgement of the surgeon.

The Surgery Center of the Lakelands will be closed starting Monday 3/23/20, with plans to resume operations 4/13/20, unless the situation at that time warrants a longer pause on elective procedures.

A reminder about screening and testing

We would like to remind the community that Self Regional has established a process for COVID-19 screening and specimen collection that was implemented Monday, 03/16/20.

If community members have concerns that they or their family member has symptoms for COVID-19 (and traveled to a known community spread and/or have had extended contact with a known positive COVID 19 case) they may call our COVID-19 Screening Line at 725-4200. The screening phone line will be available Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

On the call they will be asked a series of questions to see if they meet the DHEC criteria for testing. If they meet the criteria, they will be scheduled at our drive-through COVID-19 specimen collection site where a swab will be collected. Patients who are directed to this drive-through site will stay in their cars while a nurse who is wearing protective gear collects the sample from outside the vehicle. SPECIMEN COLLECTION IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. INDIVIDUALS MUST CALL 725-4200 TO SEE IF THEY CAN OBTAIN AN APPOINTMENT.  If they do not have an appointment, we will not be able to collect a swab for testing.

Also very important: This COVID-19 screening line and specimen collection site are only for residents of our 7-county service area in South Carolina: Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda, Edgefield, McCormick and Abbeville counties.

Overflow tent is being prepared

You may have noticed that Self Regional has erected a large tent next to the Emergency Department ambulance bay.  Up to 20 patients can be treated in this tent, if necessary, and ED physicians will assign patients there when it is appropriate and necessary. The tent is equipped with HVAC and will be used for triage and treatment for patients in the event that we need ED overflow treatment space for respiratory illness. Final preparations are being made this week, and after DHEC approval, we expect it to be ready for service early next week.

Critical Mask Shortage: We need your help

Self Regional is in urgent need of all types of protective masks (n95, surgical masks, full-face shields, half-face shields, respirators, etc.) as these items are in short supply within hospitals internationally, nationally and locally. As we at Self Regional Healthcare continue in our efforts to treat all patients in need as well as being prepared for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients, we’re searching every possible source for such masks. The vendors that we normally buy these from are unable to meet the overwhelming demand, and our supply for current operations diminishing to the point that we’re concerned we might not have enough if the infection significantly impacts our area.

Many of the masks used in business and industry in the Lakelands area could serve our front line clinicians, physicians, and nurses just fine. If you or your business has any extra supply of these at your facility or place of business, please consider donating them Self Regional. If you can spare them, no supply is too small. If you can help with these, please contact us at (864) 725-5247.

Note: this is a dated post. For the full list of updates from Self Regional Healthcare about Coronavirus, please visit https://www.selfregional.org/coronavirus