As of today, there have been no cases of COVID-19 cases identified in Natchitoches Parish. Natchitoches Regional Medical Center continues to operate under normal conditions. All medical center services remain open and operating. This includes the hospital, clinics and all outpatient services.
To respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is implementing measures to minimize disease spread with the safety and well-being of the community at large as our utmost concern. This is a very fluid situation, and we view it as our responsibility to take a leading role in working with parish and local government officials and health care providers, first responders and employers as a trusted partner and source of the most current information.”
NRMC will utilize a triage system to evaluate and test patients with COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Individuals with symptoms or concerns are asked to contact their primary care provider or call the Natchitoches Regional COVID-19/Coronavirus Screening Line at (318) 214-4267 for evaluation. The triage team will determine if individuals meet guidelines for testing based on travel to Europe, Asia or cruises, contact with someone confirmed to have COVID- 19/Coronavirus, and symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. When criteria
are met, cases will be escalated to a designated health care provider for further evaluation and/or testing via an in-person appointment or by drive-thru testing in a secure setting.
Pre-check-in greeting stations will be implemented at all of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center locations including: Hospital, Courtyard of Natchitoches, Assisted Living and all hospital clinics and diagnostic centers to screen patients and visitors before entry. Patients with a cough will be required to mask for their safety. Symptomatic individuals will not be allowed to visit a hospitalized patient at NRMC
For screening purposes, access to the main hospital at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center will be reduced to three entry points on weekdays and two on weekends. On weekdays, entry points will be: the main entrance on Isadore Avenue; the Keyser Avenue Entrance 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and the Emergency Department. On weekends, the Isadore Avenue and Emergency Department will be the sole entry point. All other entrances to the hospital will be closed.
Hospital visiting hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice.
The number of visitors allowed for patients at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center will also be restricted to one adult at a time per guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health. Visitors must be 18 years of age or older. Pediatric patients will be allowed to have both parents visit at the same time. For Labor and Delivery, only the designated support person will be allowed to visit.
“In keeping with our mission of Excellence Everyday, we are working closely with state and parish officials in leading efforts to minimize and respond to the potential impact of this virus. Our goal is to protect the health of our patients, workforce and the community, and do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
“The community can rest assured that Natchitoches Regional Medical Center staff maintains a constant state of readiness to respond to emerging infections like COVID- 19 should the need arise. Preparations include year-round drills, education and training and the maintenance of supplies and equipment such as masks, ventilators and negative air pressure rooms. We take these precautions to best protect the health of our patients and staff.
For COVID-19 updates, visit the following websites:
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center at www.nrmchospital.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov
Louisiana Department of Health at www.ldh.la.gov
