COVID-19 for Businesses
COVID-19 for Businesses
Nurse Triage Line: To direct all patients who are requesting evaluation for possible coronavirus: 812-450-6555
Helpful Links
Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce - Business Information
IN.gov - Coronavirus
Illinois.gov - Coronavirus
KY.gov - Coronavirus
Resources Deaconess Has Shared With Patients
If you are having trouble breathing, experience pain in your chest, are confused, or have bluish lips or face, get medical attention immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department.
FAQs About COVID-19 Testing
Who can be tested?
As of today, we have very limited tests, and they are being reserved for the patients who meet clinical criteria based on CDC recommendations, which include symptoms, exposure, travel history and possible need for hospitalization.
How do I get tested?
Patients who have concerning symptoms can complete a symptom self-assessment via chat at deaconess.com/coronavirus, or in their MyChart accounts. If they screen positive there, they should call our 24-hour nurse triage line at 812-450-6555.
What is the testing process?
If someone is determined to need testing, the nurse triage line will give directions on where to go and what to do. At that point, a nasal swab will be taken, and sent to a lab. As of today, it’s taking around 5 days to receive test results. Patients are directed to self-quarantine until results come in.
When will you have more tests?
We are in contact with state and federal officials, and are also pursuing additional testing options with private laboratories. We believe that all of these efforts together will expand our testing capacity.
However, at this time, not everyone should be tested. Anyone who thinks that they may have COVID-19 should be screened as described above for further direction.
Even when more testing is available, it will not impact whether an individual with symptoms self-quarantines or requires hospital care. Only the sickest patients should be hospitalized.
Unless a patient is having respiratory symptoms which require hospital care, they are being advised to self-quarantine at home for 14 days from when their symptoms began, manage their symptoms (there are helpful directions on doing so from the CDC(link), and contact us via the nurse triage line if their respiratory symptoms worsen and they’re concerned they need care.
What To Do If You Are Sick
If you develop fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19,
OR
If you have fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and have recently traveled from an area with significant community spread or known concentrated outbreaks, please follow these recommendations:
Call ahead to discuss your symptoms and if you should be tested.
- Call 812-450-6555, 24 hours a day, to talk to a Deaconess triage nurse. If it is determined that you should be seen at a Deaconess facility, the nurse will give you instructions on where to go and what to do.
- There is a COVID-19 symptom checker in MyChart. Log-in now or use your MyChart app.
- You can also schedule a FREE Deaconess Clinic LIVE video visit appointment at www.deaconess.com/LIVE. These visits are currently offered at no cost to help screen patients in their homes during this active COVID-19 outbreak.
Note: Some people are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications, including:
- Older adults
- Patients with chronic health conditions such as diabetes; lung, kidney or heart diseases; as well as patients who smoke
- Patients with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or taking certain types of medications
- These higher-risk patients who experience COVID-19 symptoms should contact their provider immediately.
Protecting Our Patients & Employees
Self Care at Home for Mild Symptoms
- Stay home unless you need to leave for medical care.
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. Stay in a specific room and use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Use a mask, cover your coughs and wash your hands frequently.
- See more self-care information from the CDC.
Prevention
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands well and frequently—at least 20 seconds with soap and water or with hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover cough/sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean/disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- The CDC does not recommend that healthy/uninfected individuals use a mask to prevent becoming ill.