Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Loved ones are important to a patient’s overall care and well-being. Hillsboro Medical Center follows the Oregon Health Authority guidelines to allow:

• One healthy adult visitor per day for adult patients.
• Two healthy adults per day for pediatric patients.
• Two support persons during labor and delivery.

There are a few visitor exceptions we’re allowing at the current time.

• A caregiver or attendant may visit a patient who needs assistance due to a language barrier or disability.
• A close family member of a patient who is receiving end-of-life care.
• If neither parent meets screening criteria, a parent or legal guardian who does not meet our screening criteria may visit their child in the hospital.

Visitors must comply with the following:

Wear a mask: Everyone age 2 and older must wear a mask while at the hospital campus. This includes wearing your mask in the parking garage and hospital.

The following masks are acceptable:

Download what masks are acceptable and unacceptable for patients, staff and visitors (PDF) »

Symptom screening: All visitors will be screened for the symptoms of COVID-19 and obtain a visitor sticker. Visitors should display their screening sticker in a visible location at all times while in the hospital.

Limit movement in hospital: Visitors are expected to limit their movement around buildings and remain within the patient room. You may be asked to wait at home or outside the building for patients to arrive in their rooms.

In addition, open treatment areas and waiting rooms where physical distancing is not possible may also be restricted. If appropriate distancing cannot be maintained, you may be asked to wait elsewhere.

People with disabilities may have support people with them while in the hospital. You can name at least three support people (friends, family, paid assistant, etc.) to help you. You can always have at least one support person with you:

• In the emergency room.
• During your hospital stay if you need help with your care.
• For any talk about hospice care.
• When you consider signing an advance directive or POLST form.

If you would like a copy of the policy, please call Patient Relations at 503-681-4357.

We are open for all cases, while maintaining physical distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). You can check the status of your care on MyChart.

Most clinics have returned to their normal hours 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. There are a few exceptions including:

• South Hillsboro Urgent Care: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Forest Grove Immediate Care: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Rehabilitation in Hillsboro: 6:15 a.m. – 7 p.m.,  M-Th; closes at 6 p.m. on Friday
• Rehabilitation in Forest Grove: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. M, W, Th, F; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tues.
• Primary care clinics have hours listed on their web pages. Virtual visits are also available.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, classes and events may be rescheduled for the health and safety of participants and instructors. Please check the Community Education listings regularly to view the status of each class.

According to the CDC, these symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing

Or at least two of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea / vomiting
• Diarrhea

There is no vaccine to prevent infection with the coronavirus. The World Health Organization is tracking dozens of potential vaccines, including some in clinical trials (tests on humans). This piece in The New York Times outlines how vaccines are developed.

The FDA has approved one medication, under an emergency use authorization, to treat COVID-19 in patients who are in the hospital. Early results from a clinical trial showed that remdesivir, an antiviral medication, can shorten recovery times. Many other potential medications are in clinical trials in the U.S., China and other countries.

If you see emergency signs, call 911 or your emergency department. They are:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to awaken
• Bluish lips or face
• Other severe symptoms

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Separate yourself from other people and pets in your home.
• Monitor your symptoms.
• Consider an OHSU Health virtual visit.
• If needed, contact your county health department.
• Do not go to any health care facility unless instructed, so you don’t spread the virus.

Wear a mask or face covering: Face coverings are required in Oregon for all indoor spaces (for example, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, retail stores, and more) and outdoor public spaces when physical distancing is not possible.

Wash your hands often: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Avoid close contact: Stay at least 6 feet from other people. Read some tips for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw the tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect: Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

We’ve set up a designated drop-off location to make it easier for those who would like to donate items.

Donation site: Tuality Community Hospital main entrance, 335 SE 8th Ave., Hillsboro
Donation hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here is some items that would be helpful:

• Earloop procedure or surgeon masks
• N95 masks
• Full face shields
• Exam gloves (non-latex)
• Isolation gowns
• Hand sanitizer bottles
• Sanitizing wipes

Questions?

Contact us at eoc.donations@tuality.org

You can help stop the spread of this disease and care for those who are infected by making a gift to Tuality Healthcare’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund.

Your support will help support front-line healthcare workers and strengthen newly created systems to treat, diagnose and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Make a gift today »

Help Tuality and the state of Oregon share information on how to stay safe and save lives. Visit the Stay Home, Save Lives web page to find images and other materials you can download and share in on social media.

• How COVID-19 Spreads (CDC)
• What to do if you are sick (CDC)
• People who need to take extra precautions (CDC)
• How to prepare (CDC)
• COVID-19 travel advisories (CDC)
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA) information on COVID-19

• COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions (OHA)
• Frequently Asked Questions (CDC)
• Q&A on Coronaviruses, World Health Organization

• COVID-19 in Oregon (OHA)
• National and global cases and updates (CDC)
• Daily situation reports (WHO)

• Call 2-1-1 from a mobile phone
• Call 503-222-5555 from a landline
• Email help@211.com for general information