Coronavirus Update | Evangelical Community Hospital

All volunteers, visitors, and patients arriving for appointments and procedures are required to wear a mask when inside an Evangelical facility.

COVID-19 Information

3rd Vaccine Dose

Moderna and Johnson and Johnson Update

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently endorsed third dose boosters for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and second doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, Evangelical follows the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and PA Department of Health (PA DOH).

Additional information will be provided for those seeking third doses of the Moderna vaccine and second doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine after the CDC and PA DOH issue their guidance.

Who is eligible for a 3rd dose booster?
The recent announcement from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) paves the way for some individuals who are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine to receive a third dose within approximately six months of completing the original series.

The CDC guidelines recommend third dose boosters of the Pfizer vaccine for the following groups:

65 and older.
50 and older with underlying medical conditions. If you have an underlying medical condition, it is recommended you speak to your primary or specialty care provider.
- CDC list of underlying medical conditions
Based on individual risks and benefits, 18- to 49-year-olds with underlying medical conditions. If you have an underlying medical condition, it is recommended you speak to your primary or specialty care provider.
- CDC list of underlying medical conditions
18- to 64-year-olds at increased risk of exposure and transmission due to occupational or institutional setting.

In addition, the FDA and CDC also recommend third doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised with the second dose being a minimum of 28 days ago.

The individuals currently recommended for this third dose include people who have:

Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
Advanced or untreated HIV infection
Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

What to bring:

COVID-19 Vaccination Card
Photo ID
Insurance Information
COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine Booster Consent Form - Please complete the consent form and bring it with you to your scheduled appointment.

If you have questions, call your primary care provider.

What if I had the Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine?
Currently, the CDC is only recommending booster doses of the Moderna vaccine for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. The CDC has not issued any recommendations for additional doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

If you are not moderately to severely immunocompromised and received the Moderna vaccine or received an initial dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, you are not currently eligible for a booster dose.

Evangelical will provide information on Moderna and Johnson and Johnson booster shots following direction from the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Vaccine Registration

Evangelical Community Hospital is scheduling vaccination clinics for all individuals who are 12 and older as well as third doses for those who qualify for the Pfizer booster.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have all declared the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine safe for young teens, 12 to 15 years old.

If you’d like to be added to the registration list, please click on the button below or call 570-522-4530, option 1 between 9 am and 3 pm Monday through Friday.

Request for Vaccine Form Request for Vaccine Form

In the event you have previously scheduled a vaccine appointment with Evangelical and get your vaccine at another facility, please cancel your appointment by calling 570-522-4530, option 1 so that dose can be reallocated to someone in need.

Evangelical encourages all individuals to explore all available options for vaccination. Other healthcare
providers and entities are administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Hospital’s primary focus is to help as many qualifying individuals as possible get vaccinated, moving the community toward herd immunity and returning to a degree of normalcy.

More Information on the Vaccine Clinics More Information on the Vaccine Clinics

Visitor Restrictions

Visiting hours are 8 am to 8 pm daily.

Visitor Restriction Guidelines Related to COVID-19

(updated 9.29.21)

For the safety of our patients and staff, Evangelical Community Hospital has adopted the following visitor restrictions.

Inpatients (Non-COVID-19 Only)

Visiting hours are from 8 am-8 pm.
Two designated, on-site visitors, over the age of 16, may visit the patient. No switching out of the two designated visitors.
- Visitors will be provided a visitor pass at the Main Entrance.

The Family Place (Laboring Mother)

Two designated support persons, over the age of 16, for the duration of the patient’s Hospital stay.
- Visitors will be provided a visitor pass at the Main Entrance.
- If more than one visitor wishes to visit the patient, the other visitors must wait in the Main Entrance Lobby.
Laboring mother’s doula is permitted. Doula will not take the place of the patient’s visitors.
No siblings under the age of 16 will be permitted to visit the patient.

End-of-Life/Medically Unstable Situations
Non-COVID Patient

Two visitors, over the age of 16, at a time in a patient’s room for a non-COVID patient.
Between 5:30 am and 8 pm, when the Main Entrance is staffed, if more than two visitors wish to see the patient, the other visitors must wait outside in their vehicle or designated area (i.e. Main Entrance Lobby, Donehower-Eisenhauer Lobby).
Visitors must remain in the patient’s room unless asked to step outside by a staff member.
With further review, visitors under 16 may be considered for end-of-life situations.

COVID-19 Patient (Positive or Person Under Investigation)

Charge nurse must approve based on census and availability of a staff member to assist with PPE.
Two visitors at a time, over the age of 16, in the patient’s room.
Between 5:30 am and 8 pm, when the Main Entrance is staffed, if more than two visitors wish to see the patient, the other visitors must wait outside in their vehicle or designated area (i.e. Main Entrance Lobby).
Exceptions to the two-visitor maximum in the patient's room should be directed to the Nursing Supervisor for approval.
Visitors must remain in the patient’s room unless asked to step outside by a staff member.
With further review, visitors under 16 may be considered for end-of-life situations.
Visitors will be required to wear the following PPE to enter the patient’s room- N95, gown, gloves, and eye protection

COVID-19 Patient (Positive or Person Under Investigation) (Non-End-of-Life)

Charge nurse must approve based on census and availability of a staff member to assist with PPE.
One single, designated visitor for the patient's entire stay.

Emergency Department (ED)

One designated support person, over the age of 16, may be allowed to be with the patient when the patient is assigned to an ED patient room. No switching out of support persons.
Support persons must remain in the patient’s room or outside until a patient is assigned a patient room.
No support persons for patients who are suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19.
No support persons for patients presenting through the Decontamination Room until cleared from airborne precautions.
Potential support persons will remain in their vehicles until patient is cleared of COVID-19 precautions.
For patients under the age of 18: Two designated support persons for the patient’s entire stay.
Exceptions to the Emergency Department visitor restrictions may be made for patients who are nearing the end of life.

Main Hospital Outpatient Surgeries/Procedures (includes One Day Surgery and Cardiovascular Cath Lab)

One designated healthy support person over the age of 16 may accompany the patient.
For patients under the age of 18: Two designated support persons for the patient’s entire stay.
Support person may be asked to wait in their vehicle or designated area, such as the Main Entrance or former Main Lobby, if physical distancing cannot be achieved in waiting or care areas.
Patients who have refused pre-surgical COVID-19 testing will be permitted one designated visitor before and after surgery. If the patient is admitted, the one designated visitor will be permitted visitation following the visitor policy.

Outpatient Surgeries/Procedures (includes Ambulatory Surgical Center, Endoscopy Center)

One designated healthy support person over the age of 16 may accompany patient to registration/waiting area.
Support person may be asked to remain outside the facility and will be permitted inside for use of the restroom. Support person may be able to use the waiting area, if physical distancing can be achieved.
A support person will be called when the patient’s procedure is complete to receive discharge instructions and may be permitted into the discharge area.

Outpatient Imaging, Testing, Physical Therapy

One healthy support person over the age of 16 may accompany the patient.
Support person may be asked to wait in their vehicle or designated area, such as the Main Entrance or Donehower-Eisenhauer Lobby, if physical distancing cannot be achieved.

Outpatient Physician & Clinic Office Appointments (includes Urgent Care)

One healthy support person over the age of 16 may accompany the patient.
One healthy parent/guardian for a patient under the age of 18.
Urgent Care exception:
- For patients under the age of 18: Two designated support persons for the patient's entire stay.

Clergy
Community Clergy are viewed as a member of the patient care team and are not subject to visitation limitations with exception to the criteria listed under General Visitor Guidelines. Clergy will be limited to visiting the requesting patient only and are not permitted to round on other patients. Visitations to COVID positive end-of-life patients will follow existing visitation limitations including room occupancy and staff availability to assist in donning and doffing PPE. Clergy may be present with visitor in the room.

Hospital Employed Chaplains
Hospital Employed Chaplains are employees and as such as not restricted by this policy.

Nursing Home Liaisons
In-person visits may be approved on a case by case basis.

Vendors
Representatives should have only previously approved appointments upon entering the building and should be directed to the Symplr badge printer for a daily badge.

General Visitor Guidelines
Approved visitors will be screened upon entrance into any Evangelical facility, provided a dated screening sticker, and required to wear a mask during their entire visit. Temperature screenings will no longer be performed.

Visitors must be screened daily.

All visitors are asked to maintain an appropriate physical distance of 6 feet from others.

Visitors are required to wear a Level 1 or cloth mask.

Gaiters are acceptable.
The following are not permitted: Bandanas, chin shields, masks with valves/vents, loose cloth masks or any mask not completely covering the nose and mouth.

Visitors must remain in the patient's room and remained masked (covering mouth and nose) their entire visit. This includes all visitors who are full vaccinated.

Visitors with symptoms of respiratory illness—such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath—will not be permitted inside the facility.

Visitors must be 16 years of age or older, unless otherwise noted in the policy.

Approved visitors may be asked for proof of identification.

No visitors will be permitted for inpatients or outpatients who are diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 (unless otherwise noted in this policy).

Visitors must be at least 10 days from the onset of illness if they previously had COVID-19.

Visitors that have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient must be 14 days from exposure and asymptomatic before visiting.

If a visitor is unable to wear a mask, they will not be permitted inside the facility.

Exceptions: end-of-life situations and parents/guardians of a patient under the age of 18, may wear a face shield.
A face shield will be provided to the visitor to wear for medical reasons only during the end-of-life visit.

Visitors that do not comply with these rules will lose visiting privileges.

Evangelical Community Hospital cannot deny access to an attendant, caregiver or family member of a patient who has an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability, communication barrier, or behavioral concerns.

We encourage family/support persons to connect with your loved one virtually using technology such as FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.

Visitors may send greeting cards to patients by visiting the Hospital website. www.evanhospital.com

COVID-19 Testing

Testing Site

Testing Site Hours: 7 am to 11 am Monday through Saturday; Closed Sunday
Location: 1499 St. Mary Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837

Step 1: Do I need to be tested?

Call your primary care provider to share any symptoms or concerns related to COVID-19. The physician can then determine if testing is warranted and refer you to the testing site.

Step 2: Finding the testing site and what to bring

Location
- 1499 St. Mary Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
- At the corner of St. Mary and 15th streets.
Hours
- 7 am to 11 am Monday through Saturday; Closed Sunday
What to bring
- Please bring your: Photo ID; Insurance information; Social Security card, if uninsured; a pen
Cost
- If you do not have insurance, the cost for the COVID-19 test is $175. For patients with insurance, it is best to call your insurance company prior to testing to determine your out-of-pocket cost.

The test site is a drive-through location to maximize safety. You will be directed to drive around the building and enter through a garage door. Staying in your car, you will be asked a series of questions and receive any tests ordered. You will then exit, driving out another garage door on the opposite side of the building.

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Faxing Orders (for providers only)

Providers can fax orders to 570-768-3974.

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Travel and Pre-Surgical COVID-19 Testing

Patients seeking COVID-19 testing to prepare for an upcoming surgical procedure may do so between 8 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday at the Hospital. Use the Main Entrance and proceed to Pre-Admission Care.

Patients seeking COVID-19 testing for travel may do so between 5 pm and 7 pm Monday through Friday at Urgent Care of Evangelical, 7095 Westbranch Highway, Lewisburg. Please contact your airline and/or destination to determine how far in advance you can be tested. We advise getting tested as far in advance as allowable to avoid being impacted by delayed results.

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