COVID-19 Update: Protecting You as We Move Forward

As Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and all Covenant Health facilities move forward with resuming elective surgeries and services, protecting the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and staff is more important now than ever. We have implemented many protocols during the COVID-19 crisis that we will continue to follow, including:

Visitation Policy

We continue to restrict visitors at Fort Sanders Regional. Beginning May 18, patients may designate two individuals who can visit during their stay, and one person at a time may visit. For up-to-date details about visitation, go to FSRegional.com/visitation-policies-covid19.

In our Transitional Care Unit (9 North), only visitors essential for end-of-life care may enter. TCU visitors are screened for fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and must wear a mask at all times.

Limited Access and Screening

We have limited access into the hospital to allow everyone entering our facilities to be screened for fever, cough and shortness of breath. Be prepared to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, and please refer to the following instructions based on the time you will be coming to Fort Sanders Regional:

  • Monday – Friday, before 5pm: Use the main entrance on Clinch Avenue, the new Emergency Department entrance on Laurel Avenue, or the Trustees Tower Garage entrance, also on Laurel Avenue.
  • Monday – Friday, after 5pm: Use the Emergency Department entrance on Laurel Avenue.
  • Weekends: Use the main entrance on Clinch Avenue or the new Emergency Department entrance on Laurel Avenue.

Masks and Donations

All patients, visitors, vendors and staff are expected to wear masks while at our facilities. To conserve masks for our staff, we encourage you to bring a mask from home.

We are accepting mask donations from the community and are so grateful for everyone who has donated.

Social Distancing

We will continue our social distancing practices. To support this effort, some waiting areas have been reconfigured to meet personal spacing requirements.

Enhanced Cleaning

Above and beyond our normal stringent cleaning policies, we have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, especially in high-contact surface areas such as lobbies and patient areas.

Emergency Department

If you are experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms and need to come to the emergency department, please call ahead to 865-331-2200 so we can prepare for your arrival.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a life-threatening condition such as a heart attack or stroke, the hospital emergency department is still the safest place to be, so don’t delay your care. Our staff is taking all essential precautions to ensure your safety from COVID-19.

New emergency department is now open at Fort Sanders Regional

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