Some Outpatient Services Move to CHC Imaging Center

In response to COVID-19, Carteret Health Care continues to implement additional safeguards to protect our community, patients, staff and providers. Carteret’s Emergency Preparedness team prepares for all levels of both anticipated and unanticipated events year-round and we maintain a continual state of readiness for possible high levels of infectious disease in our community.

For everyone’s safety, anyone who enters Carteret Health Care is being screened for respiratory signs and symptoms at both entrances. Currently, no visitors are allowed in the hospital with very few exceptions. Virtual video and phone communication are encouraged for patients and families. Entry into the hospital is limited to two access points, the main lobby from 6 AM until 5:30 PM and emergency department.

Outpatient services at Carteret Health Care have been limited to essential services only. Routine and maintenance appointments that are not clinically necessary to a patient’s care are being deferred.

This includes the following non-essential Outpatient Services that are temporarily discontinued until further notice:

• Sleep studies
• Screening mammograms
• Rehab – Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy
• PFT and walk tests
• Cardiopulmonary non-essential treatment
• Cardiac and Cardio Rehabilitation
• Circumcisions
• Well-baby hearing studies
• Non-essential surgery
• Diabetes Education
• Smoking Cessation

To further limit patients entering the hospital, beginning Monday, March 30, 2020 the following outpatient services will be moved to the CHC Imaging Center located adjacent to the hospital at 3402 Arendell Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM:

• Laboratory draws
• Radiology tests
• Pre-Operative interview and tests for urgent cases
• EKG’s

Some Outpatient Services will continue to be performed at the main hospital campus including non-elective diagnostic cardiac catherization, outpatient weekend labs, therapeutic phlebotomy, nuclear studies, MRI and CT/US Biopsy.

To pay a bill or ask questions of the business office or medical records, patients should call or visit online at www.CarteretHealth.org.

Since January measures have been taken to ensure preparedness regarding staffing for additional patients, potential supply shortages, and alternate care sites to minimize exposure. As we are modifying how we care for patients, local physicians are doing the same by incorporating curbside service and telemedicine care to their delivery. Should you need to seek medical care, please call your doctor’s office ahead to know their care process.

Carteret Health Care's team continues to closely monitor and apply CDC guidance for healthcare settings and has partnered directly with the North Carolina Department of State Health Services, the Carteret County Health Department as well as Carteret County Emergency Management for preparedness activities.

According to the CDC, most people who get COVID-19 will recover without needing medical care. For that reason, people who think they have COVID-19 and are showing mild symptoms such as fever and cough without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing are recommended to isolate themselves at home, separate themselves from others within the household as much as possible, and call their medical provider for advice. Sick individuals should stay home away from others, wear a facemask if you have to be around other people, cover your coughs and sneezes. Clean your hands often. Clean high-touch surfaces frequently.

The most important things you can do is to keep yourself and family safe is to clean your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and maintaining space distancing of at least 6 feet.

Additional information can be found on the CDC website: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov, the NCDHHS Coronavirus website at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina or at https://www.carterethealth.org/.