COVID-19 Notice & Information
COVID-19 Testing:
GRMC is working to provide COVID-19 test results as quickly as feasible. Test results are taking on average 5-10 business days to process. Lab results for specimens obtained at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center or Guadalupe Regional Urgent Care at Clear Springs will be available on our respective patient portals. You can obtain further information regarding portal access at www.grmedcenter.com and www.grmedgroup.com. For tests performed at the Guadalupe Regional Urgent Care please send a message through the patient portal requesting your results.
Results will be posted to the portal(s) as soon as they become available and called to the patient as soon as possible. GRMC has set up a dedicated phone line at 830-401-1370 for test result inquiries. Patients may leave a message inquiring about test results and will be called back in the order of their message.
Visitation at GRMC:
GRMC is continuing its no visitor policy during the increase of local COVID-19 cases. This policy is strictly enforced for patients admitted for treatment of COVID-19. There are limited exceptions for visitors of patients admitted for treatment of non-COVID-19 conditions. Due to the volume of patients and resources required to treat them, GRMC requests that families assist us with the flow of information by designating one family member as the “family spokesperson” to receive updates from GRMC about your loved one and share reports with other concerned family members.
GRMC knows that social and emotional support are important aspects of patient care. We have a team of IT and counseling professionals working to arrange alternate methods of communication to keep our patients linked to their families.
Contacting your loved one in a COVID unit:
- Patients in COVID units (ICU and PHE) will have one designated contact for communication. This person will be determined at admission, if possible.
- Daily Communication
COVID-ICU: Nursing staff will communicate with designated contact twice daily.
PHE: Nursing staff will communicate with designated contact once daily. - Changes in Condition: Additional communication with designated contact will occur as needed for changes in patient condition.
Effective Thursday, June 25, 2020:
In an effort to protect the health of our patients and staff, and in the interest of limiting exposure to respiratory illness associated with COVID-19, GRMC is temporarily limiting visitor access. Effective June 25, 2020, no visitors will be allowed except for limited circumstances. Exceptions include: End of life, childbirth, good bye visit of military personnel departing for deployment, and designated caregiver of a pediatric patient. Additionally, no visitors will be allowed for COVID-19 patients in the Public Health Emergency (PHE) unit or ICU during this time.
At this time we have temporarily closed the Patient Tower Entrance and will be processing patients through the Central and ER entrances. The Central Entrance is open Monday-Friday 5:45am-6:00pm and the Emergency Room entrance is open 24 hours a day.
A Message to Our Patients and Community
Under normal circumstances, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center welcomes our patients’ visitors 24/7. We know in-person visits provide support and reassurance for patients and families alike. At GRMC, we pride ourselves on being a patient- and family-centered organization. But the COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult time for all of us. Times have changed quickly and dramatically due to the virus. As a patient-centered hospital, we must do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease and protect our patients, staff and visitors. In order to do this, our new visitor policy puts strong limits on visitors entering our hospital and outpatient care facilities during this pandemic. No Visitors will be permitted to visit or accompany patients, except for in certain situations. Read more about how we are keeping our patients safe during COVID-19.
Why can’t I visit my loved one now?
COVID-19 is a contagious disease. It spreads quickly and can be dangerous, especially to people who are seriously ill or living with chronic conditions. A person can have COVID-19 with mild symptoms and unknowingly spread it to others. When fewer people enter the hospital, there is a greater likelihood that more patients, doctors and care providers will stay safe and well. We also need to save our limited personal protective equipment for our hospital staff so that they can care for your loved ones.
How can I support my family member?
We encourage phone and video visits. Our care staff can help set this up. When you follow our policy, you are taking an active role in keeping your loved one safer, while also supporting the well-being of other patients and staff. If hospital patients need items brought from home, they can only be essential items, such as hearing aids, glasses, dentures, communication devices (mobile phones, laptops, chargers), and small, inexpensive spiritual or religious items. Each area has a specific location for dropping off items.
Reminder: For the safety of patients and employees, GRMC requests all patients and visitors wear a mask while in the hospital. GRMC encourages you and your visitor to bring your own cloth mask and paper bag to store your mask when not in use. Read more about the Do’s and Don’ts when wearing a mask.
Effective Wednesday, June 3, 2020:
Visiting Hours: GRMC has returned to normal visiting hours, with continued restrictions on entry points into the facility and a limit of one visitor per patient at a time. Visitors may enter through any of the open entrances (Patient Tower until 4pm, Front Central Tower until 6pm, and ER after hours).
Effective Monday, June 1, 2020:
Elective Procedures: Elective surgeries are now allowed to proceed at 100% normal volume. Curbside greeting of patients having an elective procedure will be at the Patient Tower entrance.
Entry Points:
- Patient Tower is open Monday- Friday from 5:30am-4:00pm. Waiting area has been arranged to promote social distancing.
- Central Entrance is reserved for lab, imaging, and wound care patients. Waiting area has been arranged to promote social distancing.
Visitors: One (1) support person will be allowed per patient with inpatients and outpatients, with the following exceptions:
- No support person will be allowed with patients on the Public Health Emergency unit or Intensive Care Unit.
- The support person for patients in the Emergency Department need to stay in the room with their patient unless otherwise instructed.
- No support person will be allowed in the Cardiac Rehab area or Outpatient Physical Therapy. The waiting areas of those outpatient areas are too small to accommodate adequate space for social distancing.
Masking and Screening: The support person must be able to wear a mask and is encouraged to bring their own mask. GRMC continues have universal masking in place and screen all people entering the facility for fever, cough, and other symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Curbside Lab Draws: Weather permitting, GRMC offers curbside lab blood draws from 6:30 am – 11:00 am, Monday through Friday. You will need to have your physician order, driver’s license and insurance card ready to take advantage of this new service. For more information, please visit our Curbside Lab Draws page.
Effective Tuesday, April 14, 2020:
GRMC implemented universal masking for all staff and physicians as recommended by the CDC to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We have extended this requirement to all patients and anyone entering the building in addition to our regular screening practices. Patients and visitors are encouraged to bring their own mask.
Resources:
SA Metro Health COVID-19 Hotline: 210.201.5779
Available resource for area residents to call and speak with someone to get information on COVID-19 in English and Spanish. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00a – 7:00p. Saturday & Sunday 9:30a – 4:30p