Whether you’re a current patient at a Lexington Medical Center practice or not, it’s reassuring to know that Lexington Medical Center has been working hard to serve the Midlands during this time of uncertainty (in sickness and in health).

If you’re wondering about your upcoming appointment or just curious about what’s being done to prevent + treat COVID-19 locally, here’s your recap:

Recent reopenings:

With SC beginning to reopen, Lexington Medical Center reopened on May 4; expanding in-patient services and resuming outpatient surgeries.

The hospital put the following safety precautions in place upon reopening:

All patients with scheduled appointments will be screened by phone for COVID-19 symptoms.
Before entering the facilities, everyone will be screened with a temperature check. You may have to leave based on the screening results.
Patients have designated entrances to minimize contact with others.
All employees, patients and visitors are asked to wear face masks while in any of the facilities.

COVID-19 prevention + restrictions:

○ Virtual Screenings began in March, allowing patients to see a doctor in the comfort of their own home over Zoom, FaceTime + Google Duo. Here’s how it works.

○ Testing for COVID-19: Lexington Medical Center is working with independent labs to process COVID-19 tests. Patients should expect results in 7-10 business days.

○ Emergency services: A triage area with a dedicated tent for patients who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptom + need immediate medical attention has been set up at Lexington Medical Center’s West Columbia campus Emergency Department.

○ Visitor restrictions: Lexington Medical Center remains closed to visitors. Only approved visitors who meet the following criteria will be allowed to accompany patients:

A spouse or significant other while the patient is in labor or has just delivered a child.
Special Care Nursery: A birth parent and their significant other.
Procedural Areas: A family member in the waiting room during the procedure and in the room after.
Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department: One visitor. Pediatric patients only.
End-of-Life Situations: A limited number of visitors will be allowed for critical patients.

Visitors are not allowed for patients suspected of or testing positive for COVID-19. Children under the age of 18 are not currently allowed as visitors.

Honoring healthcare heroes:

Throughout the ongoing crisis, Lexington Medical Center has pulled back the curtain on what combatting COVID-19 looks like from the frontlines.

This photo series highlights doctors, nurses + staff taking care of the hospital’s most seriously ill patients.

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This commercial celebrates everyone in the Midlands community for making sacrifices to support each other.

The hospital has also been sharing impactful stories from patients – like Debra Allen, a local librarian who survived a life-threatening battle with COVID-19 with the help of an innovative therapy at Lexington Medical Center. Ⓟ