COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Additional Information:

• Results should be available within 24 hours through the patient portal.
• Instructions on how to access your test results are HERE.
• To see the most up-to-date information from our local health district, please visit their website: panhandlehealthdistrict.org.

Visiting Hours:  8 AM – 8 PM

Points of Entry:

Patients and visitors entering the hospital should come through PATIENT REGISTRATION. 

Exceptions:

• Those going to Immediate Care or the Emergency Department.

All other entry points will be closed; however, you may leave the building at any accessible exit.

Health Services Building Point of Entry
The Health Services building is accessible between the hours of 6 am and 5 pm, Monday–Friday.  All entrances and exits are unlocked during this time.

Department Specific Visitation Procedures

Intensive Care Unit

• To maintain patient confidentiality and infection control, visitors at the bedside are limited to two at a time, at the discretion of the health care team. Visitors must remain at the bedside while visiting.
• Family and visitors must wash hands and wear personal protective equipment when visiting the ICU as determined by current unit practice.
• Children visiting the ICU shall be at the discretion and mutual agreement of the healthcare team, patient, and family.
• Family and visitors are requested to wait in the assigned ICU waiting rooms and not in the hallways or outside the ICU entrance while waiting to enter the unit.

Emergency Department

• In general, there are no pre-set visiting hours in the Emergency Department. However, family and visitors will not be denied visitation without a legitimate reason as determined by the physician and/or unit charge nurse.
• The length and frequency of visits will be at the discretion of the Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse taking into account the patient’s condition as well as the well-being and privacy of other patients.
• Every effort will be made to keep the family or appropriate legal decision-makers involved in the patient’s care.
• Every effort will be made to communicate patient information and condition or location updates as appropriate and as quickly as possible.

Peri-operative Services:

• Family and visitors are not allowed in the operating or procedure rooms.
• Pregnant women may have a spouse, domestic partner – including a same-sex partner, or other support person in attendance during the surgical delivery. Only one visitor is permitted. The health care team may ask the visitor to leave if required to ensure patient and staff safety. SDS/PACU
• Appropriateness of family visitation is based on patient status, patient wishes, the activity of the unit, other patients present, and the discretion of the nurse, physician, and/or anesthesia provider.
• The privacy and confidentiality of all patients shall be maintained and protected.
• Termination of visitation is at the discretion of the nurse based on the patient, visitor, and unit circumstances. All efforts will be made to allow visitors, however, there may be extenuating circumstances prohibiting visitation. The patient will be advised of the reason for limited visitation.

Family-Centered Maternity Unit

• As a family-centered care unit, the FCMU allows a support person(s) in the labor room as the patient requests, unless such condition warrants otherwise. The patient care needs outweigh visitation when there is an emergent situation.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult other than the patient. Children under 12 are not permitted to stay overnight.
• Pregnant patients may have one support person in attendance during a surgical delivery (except in rare circumstances).  The health care team may ask the visitor to leave if required to ensure patient and staff safety.

Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated. With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. CDC has updated guidance for fully vaccinated people based on new evidence on the Delta variant.

At this time, Bonner General Health is not operating a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic.  If the need arises for us to reopen our clinic, we will support our community and our healthcare partners.

Resources:

• What You Need to Know About the Vaccine
• Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
• Myths & Facts About the COVID-19 Vaccine

• Get Vaccinated.
• Wear a mask.
• Wash your hands often.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
• Avoid crowded & poorly ventilated spaces.
• Monitor your health daily.
• More tips HERE

COVID-19 test before procedure or surgery.  What do I need to do?

If your surgeon requires a COVID test, please visit our outpatient lab during business hours.

Location & Hours:
Monday – Friday
606 N. Third Ave, Suite 102
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday
Pre-procedure testing ONLY
520 N. Third Avenue
8:00 am – 2:30 pm

How much does a COVID-19 test cost?

A COVID-19 test costs $150.00 + a $47.00 lab draw fee.

*Most insurances pay for all of this without any out-of-pocket for the patient;  however, please check with your insurance company to confirm your coverage.  If you do not have insurance, a government program can be utilized to cover the services.

If you are uninsured and pre-pay, a 20% discount is given.

How do I get my COVID-19 test results?

All COVID-19 test results will be available through the BGH Patient Portal.  Information will be needed (such as an email address) to use the patient portal.  Click HERE to sign up or log in—instructions for using the patient portal HERE.

If you were seen in our Emergency Department and received a COVID-19 test, and you test positive, one of our staff members will call you.

If you have an order from your provider and were tested during lab hours, your primary care provider will call with your results.

What should I do while I’m waiting for my results?

If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19, please, self-isolate and avoid contact with anyone outside of your home; this is crucial to limiting the spread of COVID-19.

What if I am positive?

Please self-isolate and limit contact with anyone outside of your home.

Additional information HERE

Here are some guidelines on what to do if you are exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive:

o  Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19 unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

o Call your primary care provider and report the potential exposure.

o If you test negative, follow CDC and Panhandle Health guidelines regarding precautions you should continue to take for the next 14 days.

o If you test positive, please self-isolate and limit contact to anyone outside of your home, except to seek medical treatment.

o *If you are unwell and need to visit the Emergency Department, please do so. Call ahead at (208) 265-1020 to let them know you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are sick with symptoms.

o If you are in distress and having difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1. Let the dispatcher know you are having COVID-19 symptoms and have had contact with someone who tested positive.

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild to severe illness.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention:

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call the Emergency Department before you arrive at (208) 265-1020.  A staff member will meet you outside.

Bonner General no longer requires COVID testing for outpatient procedures/surgeries.

The following exceptions require COVID testing:

• Patients who are symptomatic.
• When ordered by the provider.

Should a COVID test be required for your procedure, you will be notified of the testing date at your BGH pre-procedure assessment.