Tidelands Health Coronavirus Information Center: For Patients and Visitors

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For Patients and Visitors

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FAQs | Resources | Preparations at Tidelands Health | Social Distancing | Vendor Restrictions

At Tidelands Health, we are continuing to provide the safe, quality, compassionate care our patients expect.

If you have an appointment scheduled at one of our hospitals or offices, we will notify you if we need to change the time. If we do not contact you, your appointment is scheduled as normal.

If you are planning to visit a patient, click here to learn about the coronavirus-related visitation restrictions that have been implemented.

As our region’s largest health care provider, Tidelands Health is accustomed to caring for patients with potentially infectious illnesses. We are drawing on that expertise to guide our response, in alignment with CDC guidelines, to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Do you think you have the COVID-19 coronavirus?

Here’s what you should do if you believe you have the COVID-19 coronavirus:

  • If you are experiencing symptoms, use the no-cost MUSC Health virtual screening tool at muschealth.org, or call your primary care provider for instructions on what to do next. If you do not have a primary care provider, call 1-866-TIDELANDS, and we’ll help you find one.
  • If you do not have symptoms but believe you may have come into contact with an infected person, call the South Carolina Department of Health at 888-847-0902.
  • If you are experiencing symptoms, be sure to call ahead before coming to any Tidelands Health location. Tidelands Health is testing patients when a physician determines it is clinically appropriate to do so. We are not offering walk-in COVID-19 testing.
  • In case of an emergency, always call 911.

What visitor restrictions are in place at Tidelands Health?

In alignment with guidance from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Tidelands Health has suspended visitation at our hospitals to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

  • Exceptions will be made for end-of-life, labor-and-delivery and pediatric patients. In those circumstances, patients are allowed one visitor. All potential visitors will be screened, including a temperature check, and those with a fever or other flu-like symptoms will not be permitted to visit.

  • Tidelands Health encourages visitors to use phone calls or video calls to virtually visit patients in the hospital.

Read more.

What kind of screening can patients expect at Tidelands Health hospitals?

To help prevent the spread of coronavirus in our community, patients arriving at Tidelands Health hospitals for non-emergency care, such as a CT scan or lab work, will be screened, including a temperature check. Patients with a fever or other flu-like symptoms of illness will be required to wear a mask for the protection of other patients and hospital staff. Those who do not wish to wear a mask will be required to reschedule for a later time.

This requirement DOES NOT apply to patients seeking emergency care. As always, no patient who needs emergency care is ever turned away.

I have a doctor's appointment scheduled, but I’m concerned about getting the virus. Should I keep my appointment?

We have rigorous infection prevention protocols in place to protect our patients, team members and the community.

However, if you are not feeling well or have concerns you may have the COVID-19 coronavirus, please call your physician’s office in advance to notify the staff. The office will provide further instructions.

Will my surgery or procedure be postponed?

Tidelands Health is temporarily rescheduling elective surgeries and some outpatient procedures, including screening mammograms, bone-density testing, Heart Scan calcium scoring, low-dose lung cancer screening and screening colonoscopies. If your surgery or procedure needs to be rescheduled, a member of our team will contact you. You do not need to call in to check.

How do I know which entrance to use at Tidelands Health hospitals?

Some public entrances at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital and Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital are temporarily closed. You can find a map showing which entrances are available by clicking here.

Is Tidelands Health testing coronavirus patients?

Yes, we are testing patients, by appointment, when a physician determines it is clinically appropriate to do so. Tidelands Health is not offering walk-in or drive-through coronavirus testing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Please do not come to an emergency department to be tested. Learn more about testing by going here.

What are the tents I see outside Tidelands Health hospitals and certain physician practices?

These tents are NOT public testing sites. They have been erected as outside triage areas to support patients with scheduled appointments. Tidelands Health is not offering walk-in or drive-through coronavirus testing.

Are Tidelands Health hospital cafeterias open?

The hospital cafeterias are open to patients, approved visitors and hospital staff only. Community members are not permitted to use the hospital cafeterias for meals until further notice.

How do I get in touch with the Tidelands Health business office?

Patients who need assistance from the business office should reach out by phone. For the Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital business office, call 843-652-1020. For the business office at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, call 843-652-8201.

How do I request medical records?

Medical records can be accessed through the Tidelands Health patient portal, or requests may be sent by mail. You may also request records by phone. For Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, call 843-520-8404. For Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital, call 843-652-1098. To speak with a team member in the health information management department, call 843-527-7426.