MMH: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Update

Margaret Mary Health is prepared and ready to test patients who meet the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health.

(Batesville, Ind.) - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Margaret Mary Health is prepared and ready to test patients who meet the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health. With limited testing availability, we will be using the ISDH testing algorithm to determine when testing is necessary. Due to this nationwide shortage of testing swabs, we are only able to test “critically ill” patients at this time.  If you are symptomatic and suspect you may have COVID-19 and need assistance determining if you should seek care, please call the MMH COVID-19 Hotline at (812) 933-5556. 

To prepare for a possible influx of patients and to limit potential exposure to patients and staff, MMH has made the decision to cancel, restrict or postpone the following services until further notice:

• Elective and non-emergent surgeries and procedures
• Preventative screenings including colonoscopy screenings, mammography screenings, bone density screenings and lung cancer screenings
• Sleep lab services
• Cardiac rehab services
• Rehabilitation progressive exercise program visits
• Medicare Annual Wellness Visits for patients age 65+
• Additional wellness (non-acute) visits are encouraged to be postponed as well, unless the provider and patient determine otherwise

Our providers and surgeons will consult and determine on a case-by-case basis whether appointments, surgeries and procedures should take place or be postponed for patients.  We will continue to schedule and treat patients as deemed necessary.  Patients impacted by cancellations and rescheduling of appointments and services will be contacted by MMH staff directly. 

Additionally, all MMH-sponsored community classes and support groups will be suspended through May 1 and will be reassessed at that time. If you are pre-registered for classes or screenings, MMH staff will be contacting you.

As a reminder, for the protection and safety of our patients and staff, we've implemented the following advanced visitor restrictions:

• NO VISITORS are allowed in any MMH facility.
• Patients may have ONE healthy (no fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms) adult accompany them in the following scenarios:
  • Pediatric patients
  • Maternity patients
  • Patients with dementia
  • Surgical patients or patients that received sedation
  • Patients that need assistance ambulating

• Patients can only enter through the main lobby and ER at the main campus.
• No visitors under the age of 18 will be permitted (including the children of OB patients).
• Patients and visitors will be screened by MMH personnel for respiratory symptoms or possible exposure (including cough, fever, shortness of breath) before being allowed into the facility.
• MMH's Café will be closed to the public.

“As this is a dynamic situation, we will continue to assess the crisis and do our best to communicate our strategy for providing patient care,” said Tim Putnam, MMH President and CEO. “Caring for our patients will always be our first priority. While our focus has temporarily shifted to take care of the medical needs of our acutely ill patients, we are still here to support the healthcare needs of as many as we can during this difficult time.”

For the latest updates, visit us online at mmhealth.org/covid-19.