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Posted: July 26th, 2022

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Vaccines at Walk-In Clinic

Vaccinations are available daily at the NRMC Walk-In Clinic from 8am to 8pm. Same day appointments are available. You must call and schedule a time slot to be vaccinated. The direct number is 318.238.5300.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Please read the flyer on best practices to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus:

Steps to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Restricted Visitor Policy

In response to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations and case counts, we have implemented the following restricted visitor policy. This applies to all, regardless of vaccination status, according to LA Dept. of Health.

Please note that, for your safety and the safety of our patients, MASKING is strictly enforced for all employees, patients and guests and those unwilling to comply will be asked to leave – no exceptions. Masks must also be worn properly, ensuring that the nose and mouth are covered continuously.

Children under 2 years of age are excluded from masking requirements. Visitors must be at least 12 years of age and always remain in the patient’s room. Visitors are to maintain social distancing at all times, including in waiting rooms, cafeterias and other shared areas.

Patient Type	Asymptomatic Visitors will self-screen
Surgery Patients	Two (2) visitors for duration of stay. Visitors may or may not be able to wait in waiting areas due to social distancing limitations. Visitors should leave phone # to be contacted if waiting elsewhere.
Inpatient Units (including ICU)	Two (2) visitors per patient allowed between 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Only one (1) visitor will be allowed to stay overnight. Pediatrics may have (2) visitors overnight.
ED patients	One (1) visitor who may or may not be able to wait in waiting areas due to social distancing limitations. Visitor should leave phone # to be contacted if waiting in car.
Labor/ Delivery/ Mother/ Baby	Two (2) designated visitors allowed at one time. Siblings will be allowed with masks encouraged. Designated visitors must remain the same throughout the hospital stay. Only one (1) visitor will be allowed to stay overnight. Must be the same person each night.
Clinics/Outpatients/WIC	One (1) visitor allowed. Children are discouraged.
Insights	One (1) visitor who will be physically distanced from other patients.
Assisted Living	Three (3) visitors physically distanced in patient rooms/ areas.
COVID-19 Patients	One (1) designated visitor per patient allowed between 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Exceptions will be made for end of life, sitters and other extenuating circumstances deemed by unit manager. Visitors must remain in the patient’s room, wearing a mask, and hand hygiene is encouraged when exiting room. Visitors that stay for less than an hour are encouraged to wear PPE during the visit (gown, gloves, mask).

Carry Your Covid Vaccine Card with you in Your Phone Via LA Wallet App

Trustworthy display of your digital COVID19 Vaccination record on file with the Louisiana Department of Health
Easy: Optionally added with Two Taps to Approve and One Tap to Remove
Optional: Louisiana Resident is in full control
Nothing Extra: Only COVID19 Vaccination information is accurately added to LA Wallet
No Copies: Data is only kept at Louisiana Department of Health and Your Device
Single Use: The resident presenting COVID19 Vaccination status through LA Wallet is the only time this information is shared
Is not connected to a driver’s license or ID but lives securely in LA Wallet

Click on the below to learn more about LA Wallet

https://lawallet.com/covid-19/

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

What to expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine? See the link below for more information …

CDC Post Vaccination Information & Guide

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine

FAQs

Does the vaccine protect against COVID-19?
- It appears to be effective protecting people ages 18 and older with at least one symptom.
- Out of 170 subjects who developed Covid-19 with a symptom, 162 were on a placebo. Only 8 had received the vaccine.
- This result was consistent across ages 18 years to 85 years, races and ethnic groups.
Is the vaccine safe?
- So far, it looks generally safe.
- The most frequent severe side effect was fatigue in 3.8% of the volunteers who fell ill, while 2% reported headaches.
- But that data isn’t enough to establish the safety of the vaccine.
When did the vaccine become available?
- December 2020.
When can I get it?
- Now.
What don’t we know?
- Aside from an incomplete safety profile, it is not known how long any protection the vaccine provides will last.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Where can I get more COVID-19 Information?

The Louisiana Department of Health is partnering with the 211 hotline to answer questions related to the virus. It’s easy as 1-2-3 to get the most current information available for COVID-19.

Simply dial 211
Text LACOVID to 898-211
Visit www.LA211Help.org

NRMC is here to CARE for YOU!

NRMC’s Walk-In Clinic, Emergency Room, and North Natchitoches Medical Clinic in Campti are open and ready to provide the quality healthcare our community has come to expect. If you are concerned about being infected with COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider, the state 211 line, or NRMC for pre-screening. Remember, our hospital is still operational and here to address your critical health needs.

Dealing with COVID-19 Stress

If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency, there is a special Keeping Calm through COVID Hotline you can call. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.

Call 1-866-310-7977 24/7

Trained counselors available 24/7. All calls are confidential.

Social Distancing

Please practice social distancing. Social distancing is the practice of reducing close contact between people to slow the spread of infections or disease. Please refer to the attached social distancing graphic.

Individuals with symptoms or concerns are advised to first contact their primary care provider or call 211.

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center will use a triage system to evaluate and test patients with COVID-19 symptoms:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

The triage team will determine if individuals meet guidelines for testing based on travel, 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.

Every person who enters an NRMC facility will undergo screening. This includes all patients, associates, physicians, essential personnel and vendors.