COVID-19

During this tumultuous time, Georgetown Behavioral Hospital’s primary focus is on patient safety and wellness. In an effort to continue providing a safe environment for our patients to reflect, share their experiences, and promote lifelong healing, we have updated a few policies and procedures according to recommendations and guidelines from the CDC.

Please note that protecting the health of our patients and our community will require us to make changes to our visitation policies. All of these new measures have been updated and implemented in accordance with conversations with community leaders and state health officials. For specific information regarding these changes and current limitations, please contact our facility directly.

Some of the steps we’re taking to safeguard our patients and their well-being include:

• Monitoring CDC updates to ensure that all of our guidelines and practices are up-to-date and effective.
• Providing all staff members with infection prevention and control training.
• Administering thorough disinfection and hygiene programs.
• Using patient care supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer in our treatment center.
• Implementing new screening protocols for visitors and patients.
• Communicating with our local health department to stay current on important community-specific updates and guidelines.

The safety of our patients, their families, and our employees is the driving force behind these changes. To that end, we’d like to pass along some CDC-approved practices that can help you play an active role in safeguarding the health of our community:

• Avoid close contact with people who appear sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately dispose of the tissue and sanitize your hands as needed.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. The coronavirus can live on surfaces for hours or, in some cases, days. For this reason, not touching your face could drastically lower your risk of infection.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.
• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.

Please be aware that we will be pre-screening all patients prior to admission, and we will conduct a more in-depth clinical screening upon arrival at our facility. We take these steps to protect the welfare of new patients as well as our current patients and employees.

For more detailed information regarding specific precautions advised by the CDC regarding COVID-19, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/index.html