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Our hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.
Below are a number of resources to help educate you and your family on COVID-19. For more information on the virus, you can also visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health website or contact their call center at 877-215-8336.
At Southwestern Medical Center, our top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, team members and community. We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients. Our current visitor policy is as follows:
Entry into the hospital is restricted to two entrances. On Monday, October 12, there will be a change of entry points.
Effective Monday, October 12, the hospital’s Main Entrance will be open, and the Patient Registration Entrance will be closed until further notice.
Beginning Monday, October 12, please use the Main Entrance to access areas with the hospital, Patient Registration, and MOB 1 physician offices. The MOB 1 entrance is open to Breast Center patients only.
The Main Entrance will be open during the following hours. To access the hospital outside of these hours, please use the Emergency Department Entrance.
Southwestern Medical Center is taking every precaution to keep our patients and staff safe, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. For this reason, we are following the CDC recommendation and City of Lawton mandate that anyone who enters our facility must wear a face mask at all times.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mask from home to help conserve hospital supplies for patients and staff.
Why wear a mask? Recent studies show universal masking, in addition to practicing social distancing and proper hand hygiene, can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially in individuals who may not know they are ill. And until there is a vaccine, these measures are our best line of defense in protecting not only you, but also our healthcare workers and community members.
Please be smart and do your part. Wear a mask! We all have a responsibility to protect one another against the spread of COVID-19 and make our communities healthier.
For more information from the CDC on face coverings and how to make your own, click here.
To learn more about the many ways we are working to ensure your safety while you are in our care, click here.
Everyone entering Southwestern Medical Center facilities will be screened, per CDC recommendations. Patients with symptoms will immediately be provided masks and managed per CDC guidelines. Based on the screening, visitors may also be asked to take their temperature, speak further with someone, or come back at a later date. Screening will occur upon every entry. We know these increased precautions may seem concerning. We do not want to cause alarm – but we do want to send a clear message to our community that we are prepared, responding appropriately and are committed to protecting the well-being of our patients, visitors, employees and community.
Closed Areas Within the Hospital
We have closed areas commonly accessed by the public, including the hospital cafeteria, gift shop, chapel and various waiting rooms. The cafeteria continues to serve patients and employees.
Cancelled Classes
Prenatal education classes have been cancelled until further notice.
These increased safety measures do NOT mean you cannot access the hospital or your providers. Please seek medical care as needed. And if you are concerned you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call your provider in advance of going to his or her office. Of course, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room.
To help support the health of our community, we are providing access to an online COVID-19 risk assessment developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool does NOT provide a diagnosis, and it should NOT be used as a substitute for an assessment made by a healthcare provider.
How do I get tested for COVID-19?
At this time, tests for COVID-19 require a provider order. Visiting a provider does not necessarily mean you need testing or that you will receive testing. Your provider will work with the local health department to follow all appropriate guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health to determine if testing is recommended based on your symptoms and recent travel history.
What are the qualifications for being tested for COVID-19?
Someone may be a candidate for testing if he or she has:
Can I pick up or buy a test kit for COVID-19?
No. At this time, tests for COVID-19 require a provider order and are not commercially available to the public.
What do I do if I’ve been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19? I want to be tested.
If you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should self-monitor for fever or symptoms of respiratory illness for 14 days. If you begin to experience fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, and they are mild enough that you can manage them at home, you should remain at home in isolation. For details about how to correctly perform home isolation, tips for managing your illness at home with family members, and guidance on when you can discontinue home isolation, please visit the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html.
If you are not experiencing symptoms, or you are experiencing mild symptoms you can manage at home in isolation, you do not need to seek medical care or testing.
I believe I have symptoms of COVID-19. What do I do next?
I’m experiencing mild symptoms right now, but I’m worried.
If you are experiencing fever and/or mild symptoms of respiratory illness, you can and should isolate at home during illness. For details about how to correctly perform home isolation, tips for managing your illness at home with family members, and guidance on when you can discontinue home isolation, please visit the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html.
Should I get tested? Isolating yourself at home and self-monitoring mild symptoms is the best course of action unless you feel you need medical care.
Worsening symptoms – I need to see my provider.
Be alert to any changing symptoms and seek prompt medical attention if your symptoms are getting worse. If you feel you need to visit your healthcare provider, call ahead before you arrive to tell them you’re experiencing symptoms that may be related to COVID-19. This will allow your provider’s office staff to properly prepare for your visit and take the necessary precautions to keep others from being infected or exposed.
Will I be tested? Your provider will make this determination based on your symptoms, and recent travel history. You may or may not be tested, but your provider will follow all appropriate CDC and Oklahoma State Department of Health guidelines.
Emergent symptoms – I am having difficulty breathing.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 and notify the dispatch agent that your emergency is related to possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Will I be tested? Your emergency medicine provider will make this determination based on your symptoms and recent travel history. You may or may not be tested, but your provider will follow all appropriate CDC and Oklahoma State Department of Health guidelines.
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Seek prompt medical attention
Before visiting a healthcare provider, call ahead before you arrive to tell them that you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19. This will allow your provider’s staff to properly prepare for your visit and take the necessary precautions to keep others from being infected or exposed.
If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 and notify the dispatch agent your emergency is related to possible COVID-19-related symptoms.
For more information and to stay abreast of the latest updates on COVID-19, you can visit www.cdc.gov.