You've always expected more from your healthcare. You expect excellence. Compassion. And a safe haven for your loved ones. We have even higher expectations for ourselves and together we have exceeded them. We are stronger now, and you have helped us every step of the way. Meeting the unexpected head on is what we do. We're ready for what the future holds so look to tomorrow with hope. And with us, always expect more.

As Memorial Health System continues to support the efforts of slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we now require everyone wear a face mask at our facilities beginning July 1, 2020. Face coverings can be any of the masks the CDC (Centers of Disease and Control) supports - (sew or non-sew) cloth, surgical, or N95 masks. We ask our patients and visitors to bring masks from home. If you do not have a mask, our Safe Care Navigators will provide you with one.

Please follow guidelines from the CDC in proper use and wearing of face coverings. Details include making sure both your nose and mouth are covered and how to properly wash cloth masks. Learn more on the CDC's website.

Interested in donating masks?
We are accepting cloth masks donations! If you're interested, please contact Cindy Hall at chall@mhsystem.org or (740) 374-1778.

In order to keep our patients as safe as possible, we are restricting all visitors across our system. Exceptions are being made for the following patients and circumstances:

Marietta Memorial Hospital & Selby General Hospital:

Pediatric patients: One parent/guardian during their hospital stay.
Admitted patients (not COVID-19 positive): A single visitor during hospital stay.
Admitted patients (COVID-19 positive): Visitation is prohibited with the exception of special circumstances. (See below for "end-of-life" restrictions.)
Admitted patients after visiting hours (not COVID-19 positive): A single visitor may accompany the patient from the emergency department or operating room after hours for the purpose of admission. But should be instructed they will have to leave the facility at the direction of the admission nurse when the patient admission is complete.
Discharged patients after visiting hours (not COVID-19 positive): A single visitor may be present during discharge to support the patient. The discharging unit must call security to okay the visitor entering after hours to be present for discharge.
Labor & Delivery: One visitor during labor and during hospital stay.
Outpatient Surgery: One visitor on the day of surgery. Visitor will be screened for temperature and may be asked to wait in your vehicle if needed.
End-of-life circumstances (not COVID-19 positive): One visitor during hospital stay with death imminent, limited family may be permitted.
End-of-life circumstances (COVID-19 positive): One visitor with death imminent. All visitors to patients with COVID-19 must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will be escorted one on one with a trained staff member present at all times. Family member must provide informed consent and agree to quarantine and monitor symptoms for 14 days following visit.

Emergency Rooms:

Patients who are not suspicious for COVID-19: One support person during visit.

Clinics & Physicians Care Express:

Patients who are COVID-19 negative: One support person in appointment.

Given Governor DeWine's recommendation to open more surgical services and encouragement to seek health care, Memorial Health System wants to share changes and enhancements that will continue to ensure our community can seek healthcare safely.

Resuming Healthcare Safely, Together

Since early March many of us have stayed home, followed the guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We know these actions weren't always easy, but they made a difference, and for that, we thank you. These actions have helped prevent a massive spike in cases that would have potentially been overwhelming to our local health system.

Caring for COVID-19 patients now and later

Our teams at Memorial Health System have quickly learned how to manage COVID-19 patients in the past few weeks. We've established care units, care teams, and processes that will direct the care of these patients now and into the future. This is what we're built for - caring for our community's health in the best and most challenging times. We've worked tirelessly to ensure we're prepared to manage everyone's health and keep our hospitals, clinics, and facilities a safe place to receive care.

We must be realistic moving forward. There will be spikes of people who become sick. We'll need to continue to monitor these outbreaks and work quickly when they arise. We're ready.

This week Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton shared a plan for gradual expansion of healthcare services and business openings as we slowly emerge from our quarantine and lift our eyes to what's next.

Here's what that means for you at Memorial Health System.

We are moving into this next phase with both caution and eagerness. Our providers want to see you in person again because in many cases, it's the best way to provide the care you need. We want to ask how you are doing, hear how you are feeling, and understand what health concerns you may have.

We'll continue to offer telehealth visits for those times it is appropriate for your health needs. This means you can communicate with your doctor or advanced practice nurse without having to go to the office. Using this technology through your phone or computer we can still see you.

Keeping You Safe

Your health will always be our top priority, so we've implemented the following safety measures in our hospitals and provider offices:

1. Increasing our already stringent cleaning and disinfecting processes.
2. Checking all visitors/patients for fever and respiratory symptoms
3. Asking those who cannot social distance safely to wear a cloth mask during their visit
4. Continue physical distancing
5. Using wait in line process of waiting in the car for your appointment, and being taken right back to a room whenever possible
6. Gradually resuming surgeries and medical procedures. While this might feel like a scary time, let us assure you your safety is important, and we'll be working through this together
7. We'll be assessing individual patient needs and discussing your condition and needs

While we will be wearing protective gear when we see you, please know it's for your safety and ours. We're still the same caregivers and we're smiling and happy to see you.

Emergency Care During this Time

We stand ready to serve you. If you are experiencing serious symptoms, injury or an urgent need, don't put off care. We are taking extra measures for you to receive the care you need in our Emergency Departments. Our wait times are less than 10 minutes. You can expect to receive a quick screening and be placed in a room quickly.

Community Support Has Been Great

Thank you to those organizations, individuals, businesses and groups who have shown an outpouring of generosity, compassion and support to all of our health system team members. Your connection with your local health system has grown stronger, and we are glad to see the pride you have in your local health system. We stand ready to partner with you at all times - Together we Can. Together we will. It's what we do.

Scott Cantley
President & CEO
Memorial Health System

On behalf of our over 3,200 team members, all ready to care for you.