Dr. Blake Cross has been a Family Medicine practitioner with the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs since 2019. His office is inside the Medical Plaza building next to the hospital at 105 Medical Circle. Dr. Cross called the KSST studios on Monday April 6, 2020 with encouraging information about protections in place for patients needing to see their doctor during the current COVID-19 health crisis. The following information came from the phone interview with Dr. Cross. **NEW effective 4/6/2020** ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
As you know, as of today, April 6, 2020, there are four known cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County, and these numbers, as they may change, can be found by reaching out to the local health department.
Currently, symptoms are cough, fever of 100.4 or higher, and shortness of breath. These are the most common symptoms. For testing recommendations, you can self-screen online using the COVID Health Bot on the christushealth.org website, or by calling the CHRISTUS COVID-Hotline· 1-800-458-4559
What is the clinic is doing to keep healthy patients safe when they need to see their doctor? Our Clinic policies include:
Only one essential care taker can escort patients into clinic appointments All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken All associates are screened at start of shift, including temperature taken ·
What are other means of visiting the doctor? You may call and speak to your doctor by phone, or use Telehealth: Video for a consultation with your doctor on your computer. Visit christusvirtualmedicine.org or call 844.606.DOCS for more information on telehealth.
What should you look for if you feel sick and if you believe you may need a COVID-19 test? DO NOT go to the hospital. Call your doctor’s office first and discuss symptoms. You can also call the CHRISTUS COVID Hotline to be screened: 1-800-458-4559. The dedicated COVID line is manned by a team of nurses who screen for symptoms of the virus and schedule appointments for testing as necessary.
There is also a drive-thru test site you can use with a referral. You must have an appointment to take advantage of the drive-thru test service.
For routine doctor visits, if you may have an upcoming appointment, we are recommending it to be kept. In addition to coming in person to see your doctor for the routine appointment, it might possibly be covered by Tele-Health or phone call. These are other avenues you can use to have that visit performed.
**NEW effective 4/6/2020** ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
