COVID 19 Patient/Community Information

Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, it has been the top priority of Dosher Memorial Hospital to keep our patients, staff, and visitors as safe as possible, at all times. We have adapted policies in both the hospital and our satellite clinic locations to reflect our commitment to your safety, and we continue to review and revise these measures as circumstances require. If you are concerned that you may have Coronavirus symptoms, or if you have had a known exposure to someone who recently tested positive for the Coronavirus, please contact your healthcare provider.

Hospital and Clinic Entrance Screenings

All patients and visitors coming to our hospital and clinics will be screened in regard to COVID 19 symptoms or recent contact. All information will be kept confidential.

Due to current high community transmission rates of COVID-19, Dosher Medical Clinic waiting rooms are closed to the public at this time. Patients are asked to call ahead to alert clinic staff of their arrival time. This measure is to protect patients and staff, and we appreciate your cooperation.

Hospital Entrance Points

For the safety of patients, visitors, and staff, Dosher has minimized points of entry to the hospital since the onset of the pandemic to ensure that each visitor is screened for symptoms or recent exposure to COVID-19. At this time, the back entrance to the hospital is closed to the public. The main entrance is open M - F, 7:30 am - 2:30 pm. At all other times, patients and visitors should go through the Emergency Department entrance, where they will be screened and directed to their destination.

Masks

All patients and visitors are required to wear a mask while inside the hospital or a Dosher Medical Clinic, regardless of vaccination status.

Visitor Policy Updates

Patient Care Unit: In order to protect our patients and staff, Dosher has limited visitation on our Patient Care Unit to two (2) visitors at a time, age 18 or older.

Emergency Department: Patients in our Emergency Department are limited to one (1) visitor. Visitors accompanying patients with symptoms of respiratory illness must wait outside the building.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding of these enhanced safety measures.

COVID Testing

Dosher encourages those seeking COVID tests to call their primary care physicians first for further advice and direction. Other options for COVID testing include Dosher Convenient Care at the Dosher Wellness Center, which is a same day treatment clinic for minor illness and injury. Patients are asked to call 910-454-4732 for an appointment time.

It is important to note that neither the Dosher Emergency Department nor the Dosher Convenient Care perform COVID testing for travel.

Dosher would like to remind community members who seek COVID tests through our Emergency Department that the emergency room prioritizes acuity over arrival time, therefore patients with non-critical symptoms may wait longer to be seen.

To find other local testing sites, go to Find My Testing Place for more information. Patients may also ask their physicians if a home testing kit, although in short supply, is an appropriate option for their specific circumstances.

Cash Price for COVID 19 Testing

Diagnostic tests for COVID-19 performed at a Dosher Hospital location will be billed at $150.00 per test.

COVID Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines are available in North Carolina to everyone ages 5 and older. The vaccine is free everywhere in North Carolina, and no government ID or insurance is required. Depending on where you get your vaccine, you may need to make an appointment.

To find a vaccine provider near you, visit MySpot.nc.gov, or click here for a list of local vaccination sites in our area.

For questions about COVID-19, the following state and county resources are available

Brunswick County Public Health Call Line and Email Information (Available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Phone: 1.910.253.2339
Email: coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov

NC Public Health Call Line (Open 24/7)

1.866.462.3821

We encourage you to stay up to date through government resources such as NC Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Page information updated as of 01/11/2022