About Coronavirus – COVID-19

We’re here for you, your family and our community.

Walker Baptist Medical Center works closely with the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to any potential novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in our area. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we take every precaution to keep you, your family, our staff and our community safe.

Our COVID SAFE Standards

COVID SAFE standards are built upon deep clinical expertise from previous crises and on-going management of COVID-19, as well as continuous incorporation of CDC, CMS and State recommendations. They are a rigorous combination of infection prevention processes, training, testing, personal protective equipment and technology. Our COVID SAFE standards includes six components:

Distinct COVID SAFE and COVID CARE Zones – separate areas with clear signage and protocols
Rigorous Physician and Staff Protocols – daily screening, universal masking and access to PPE
Heightened Sanitization – enhanced cleaning of surfaces and plenty of hand sanitization stations
Access to COVID-19 Testing – send out testing available through emergency room provider services; rapid testing for patients, physicians and staff, if required
Precautions for Patients and Visitors – provision of face masks, hand sanitizer and physical distancing
Enhanced Virtual Access – virtual care, remote monitoring and connectivity with loved ones

As A Community Built on Care, we are here for you when you need us. For more information about novel coronavirus, go to the CDC website.

Important Information

See a Provider Now

Scheduling & Visitor Information

We have been adjusting our actions as the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves.

COVID-19 Information for Persons with Disabilities

We know there are many questions, especially from those we care for that have disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to questions about COVID-19.

Supporting Our Community

Message from our CEO

To our Community:

As the leader of our community hospital, I send this message of dedication to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all in this together. Everyone has a role to play.

The COVID-19 pandemic is international in scope; but its impact is very personal, extending to every individual and family in our community.

Our hospitals are on the front lines, including Walker Baptist Medical Center, and our mission remains the same: to protect and enhance the well-being of this community. We will meet this moment. Meeting this moment requires the close partnership of national, state and local entities to ensure we have the resources needed to meet the expected increase of cases in our hospitals.

It has become the highest national priority to prepare the healthcare system for what could be an unprecedented rise of patients in our facilities. An extraordinary national public-private sector effort is now mobilized to provide hospitals like ours with added resources, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, ventilators and other critical supplies. Please know that we are in constant contact with government agencies at all levels to be sure they know our front-line concerns and needs.

Meeting this moment requires each hospital to take strong action to prepare.

While the number of cases in our area is well below other areas of the country, we know that appropriate action is required now to be ready. This includes:

Continuing to secure more COVID-19 testing kits through multiple avenues, including public sector agencies and private-sector vendors.
Conserving critically needed supplies like personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc.).
Postponing non-urgent, medically unnecessary elective procedures to free up space, personnel and equipment to focus on COVID-19 treatment.
Modifying visitor access to our facilities to keep patients, caregivers and the public safe.
Screening anyone who enters our facilities, including our employees and providers.

Meeting this moment requires every member of the community to do their part.

Confronting this challenge is everyone’s responsibility. We each have a role to play, which includes:

Adhering to all guidance on social distancing and rigorous hygiene.
Closely monitoring yourself and loved ones for symptoms.
Understanding that COVID-19 testing is only appropriate for those showing symptoms at this time.
Avoiding going to our hospital at the first sign of symptoms. Instead, call your doctor for an initial phone consultation. If you do not have a primary care doctor, simply call Walker Baptist Medical Center, and we will have one assigned.
Understanding that the decision of hospitals to postpone non-urgent, medically unnecessary elective surgeries is in accordance with CDC guidelines and is in the best interest of the collective health of the community.
Adhering to the visitation policies of the hospital.

Please know that we are working around the clock to meet the challenges ahead; to protect our patients and staff; and to care for the community. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national partners to ensure that we are best positioned.

We thank our doctors, nurses and clinical care team members who work in our hospitals every day. These men and women are heroes in every sense of the word. The coming weeks and months will require every bit of their strength, patience and stamina, and we ask everyone to support our healthcare workers in any way you can.

Please know we are up to the challenge and prepared to care for this community. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and positive, and to keep up with the latest information on our websites.

Stay safe and God bless,

Mike Neuendorf
Chief Executive Officer
Walker Baptist Medical Center