When to Seek Medical Care and Advice
- If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first, especially if your symptoms are minor; do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- If you have difficulty breathing, it doesn’t mean you have novel coronavirus, but you should call 911.
- Who is at risk? Anyone can get COVID-19, but individuals over 60, pregnant women, and those with underlying chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease are at higher risk for more severe infection.
- If you fall into one of those groups, come up with a plan with your doctor to identify your health risks for coronavirus and how to manage symptoms. Contact your doctor right away if you do have symptoms.
Testing
- There is limited capacity to test outpatients. COVID-19 testing is currently limited to symptomatic:
- Hospitalized patients
- Health care workers
- Residents and/or staff in long-term care facilities
- First responders (EMS, fire, police)
- Contacts of known cases as requested by the Washington State Department of Health
- Patients who are recommended to come to clinics because of the degree of their illness and they are in a high-risk group due to underlying conditions (i.e. heart disease, diabetes, asthma) or 60 or older
Visitation
Olympic Medical Center is screening and restricting visitor and public access to our facilities until COVID-19 is no longer a public health concern. Visitors meeting certain exception criteria will be allowed. Please review our Visitor Guidelines page for more information. Approved visitors will be given a temperature screening and must sanitize their hands upon entering.
Prevention
Here are some ways you can help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19:
- Practice physical (social) distancing
- Stay home when you’re sick, except to get medical care;
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw it away;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces; and
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Essential Medical Care
We encourage you to review your overall needs with your doctor and keep essential medical appointments as appropriate. Olympic Medical Center is taking extra steps to protect patients and staff until COVID-19 is no longer a public health concern. The providers and staff at all of our medical facilities and clinics continue to provide safe, high-quality care.
- You should keep scheduled visits with your medical provider unless you are exhibiting respiratory symptoms, in which case, you should reschedule your visit.
- If you have medication refills or simple follow-ups, you should call your provider’s office and discuss your options. Our staff may contact you in advance to discuss other alternatives such as a telephone visit.
- To help our patients employ social distancing and limit travel, as well as protect vulnerable patients, we may request that you postpone some types of appointments. We are keeping track of any patients that are postponed and will contact them when we are able to reschedule.
Closures and Cancellations
- Seasons Café at the hospital is closed to the public.
- All on-site support groups and classes have been suspended until further notice.
- The OMC Patient Financial Services office at 519 Peabody Street will be closed to walk-ins until further notice. Please know that the following options are available:
- MyChart – To make a payment or ask a billing question.
- OMC Website – To make a payment or ask billing questions. Financial Assistance documents are also available here.
- By Phone – Call (360) 417-7111 to make payments or speak to a representative.
- If you have an issue where direct contact with a financial counselor is required and you are free of fever or respiratory symptoms, please dial the phone number above to make an appointment.