FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

PATIENT FAQ
How can I get an appointment?
What are the visiting hours?

You are welcome to visit your family and friends, seven days a week, from 6 AM to 10 PM on the Medical, Surgical, and Maternal / Child Health, Intensive Care Units.

Please visit the Visiting Hours page for special dates and other useful information.

Where can I get the Admitting Package?

Download the Admitting Package from the Outpatient Services area.

What are the current visitor restrictions?

Potential Visitation Exceptions:         

  • Obstetric patients may have one birth support person accompany them.
  • Pediatric patients may have one parent/guardian with them.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Birth parent plus one significant other who must remain in the room during the visit.
  • Critical Care: Patients in the critical care units may have one visitor who must remain in the room during the visit.
  • Patients who are at the end-of-life may have a very limited number of visitors who must remain in the room during the visit.
  • Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care, may have one visitor who must remain in the room during the visit.
  • Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays (where caregiver provides safety) may have one visitor who must stay in the room during visit.
  • Patients requiring a home caregiver to be trained must stay in the room during the visit.
  • Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor who must leave the medical center as soon as possible after the procedure/surgery.
  • Patients who have an appointment at laboratories, radiology departments or are visiting the Emergency Care Center may have one support person with them.
  • No visitors will be allowed in rooms of patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests.
  • No other visitors will be allowed in the medical center at this time.

Please note that these guidelines are constantly evolving based on CDC & local guidelines.

We appreciate your understanding during these uncertain times. Our goal is to protect you, your loved ones and our staff. If you have any questions, please contact our patient advocate at 340-776-8311 ext. 5340

COVID FAQ
I am experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath) should I come to the Emergency Room?
  • If you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe medical issue, please call 911.
  • To protect you, our staff and other patients from the spread of COVID-19 (or the Corona Virus), we are asking that you to first call the Department for Health to assess your condition.  The number is (340) 776-1519. 
What are the symptoms of COVID?

It depends on the virus, but according to the CDC, common signs include:

  • respiratory symptoms
  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • breathing difficulties
  • sore throat

Symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Some cases of COVID-19 have an illness no different than the influenza (flu) and in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. If you are experiencing severe symptoms please call 911.

How can I get tested for COVID-19?

The CDC has issued guidance to healthcare providers for determining which patients likely need testing. Providers will use their judgment of a patient’s symptoms, travel history and risk factors to evaluate a patient.

COVID-19 testing is reserved for those with severe symptoms and no alternative diagnosis like influenza. Patients who have recently traveled to an epidemic country or had prolonged exposure with a known coronavirus patient, who are now having symptoms may also be considered for testing.

***Please contact DOH at 340-776-1519 for COVID-19 testing.

Is it safe for me to deliver my baby at SRMC?

SRMC is equipped to care for you and your baby. Our staff is following local, state and CDC guidelines and recommendations for caring for patients requiring obstetrical care. If you have not preregistered for your delivery, please call (340) 776-8311 Ext. 2166, 2171. For more information, we also recommend contacting your OB doctor.

At this time we also have visitation restrictions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. All patients are only allowed one visitor.

Will my surgery still take place?

The health and safety of our patients, staff, providers and community is our top priority and as such, SRMC will continue to monitor disease activities and resources fortunately, duration of care deferral. We recognize that certain procedures must be completed. These cases are reviewed and approved based on severity and urgency by the OR committee.

What services are still being offered during this period at MKS and RLSH?

SRMC continues to provide the following services:

  • Emergency Services
  • Hemodialysis (acute and chronic)
  • Infusion therapy
  • Wound care Services (unfortunately, no new patient at this time)
  • Heart and Lung (scheduled patients)
  • Radiology (case by case basis)
  • Operating Room (based on severity and/or OR committee approval)
  • Laboratory Services

The Virgin Islands Department of Health/Community Health also continues to provide limited services to their patients from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, which includes wound dressings, high-risk pregnancy patients, and adult internal medicine services. Please be mindful that DOH Employees, Patients, and Visitors must adhere to SRMC’s visitation and access guidelines.

How will I be able to take care of my Medical Record / Billing?

We are working on a secured email communication and patients can call to find out the status of their medical records, billing, and account information.

How do I know if I had contact OR exposed to medical personnel who was tested positive and what should I do next?

If you suspect that you have had contact with anyone who maybe or may have been positive for COVID-19 please contact the Department of Health at (340)-776-1519 so they can further instruct you and conduct contact tracing if necessary.

Does the hospital have enough PPE to protect patients?

At this time the hospital and its staff is properly equipped with PPE to evaluate and treat patients with COVID-19.

I have not been diagnosed with COVID-19, but I have another medical emergency; is it safe for me to come to the hospital?

The Emergency Department is open to evaluate and treat all medical emergencies all while providing a safe environment for all patients.

  • Emergency Services
  • Hemodialysis (acute and chronic)
  • Infusion therapy
  • Wound care Services (unfortunately, no new patient at this time)
  • Heart and Lung (scheduled patients)
  • Radiology (case by case basis)
  • Operating Room (based on severity and/or OR committee approval)
  • Laboratory Services

The Virgin Islands Department of Health/Community Health also continues to provide limited services to their patients from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, which includes wound dressings, high-risk pregnancy patients, and adult internal medicine services. Please be mindful that DOH Employees, Patients, and Visitors must adhere to SRMC’s visitation and access guidelines.

I have been diagnosed with COVID-19, but I have another medical emergency; is it safe for me to come to the hospital?

The Emergency Department is open to evaluate and treat all medical emergencies all while providing a safe environment for all patients. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure staff and patient safety.

Does the Hospital have enough ventilators?

At this time the hospital has the capacity to meet the current needs of the community. 

Department of Health FAQ
I got tested (day/date) and I’m looking for my results.

Thank you for your call. For any inquiries regarding testing or the status of a test please call Department of Health at 340-776-1519

  • for Health to assess your condition.  The number is (340) 776-1519. 
I am from XYZ clinic/hospital and I have sample(s) needed to be picked up.

Get the name, phone number, and date of birth of the patient (s). Please call Department of Health at 340-776-1519.

I am not sick but my workplace still wants me screened for COVID-19. Can you provide a note for me to return back to work?

No, the Department of Health does not provide work place note. I advise you speak to a doctor or work with your supervisor.

I am sick but do not meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing, should I still go to work/school?

We highly recommend that sick individuals stay away from others to prevent others from getting sick, even from the common cold and flu.

Can I seek medical attention even if I am a PUI?

Yes. Please call ahead to let the emergency medical provider know to expect, and let them know about your travel/contact history.

How are you going to test me for the coronavirus?

The current coronavirus testing requires a nasal swab, which will be sent out to the CDC for testing.

If I am a PUI, how long do I have to be quarantined?

You will be quarantined for up to 14 days or until you receive a negative test result. The Department of Health will follow-up with you on the test results. For any more questions regarding COVID-19 testing, quarantining, test results, etc., please call the Department of Health at 340-776-1519

Visitation Guidelines
For All Visitors

Visitors who are sick will not be permitted to enter the Hospital; this is without exception.

Behavioral Health
  • No visitors are permitted for adult patients. Exceptions may apply based on the clinical team’s judgment.
  • For patients under the age of 18, Exceptions may apply based on the clinical team’s judgment.
Emergency Department
  • Visitors are prohibited for adult ED patient. Exceptions may apply based on the situation and the clinical team’s judgment.
  • Only one caregiver per pediatric patient is allowed in the ED; parent or caregiver only.
  • Hemodialysis
  • At this time, no visitors are permitted
Inpatient Visitation
  • At this time, no visitors are permitted for adult patients.

In extenuating circumstances, such as imminent end-of-life and/or a specific patient needs extra support, temporary visitation may be granted at the discretion of the provider.

Labor and Delivery
  • At this time, no visitors are permitted. Exception include one birthing partner or support persons.
  • We understand that this will be difficult for our patients and their loved ones, but we believe that this is a necessary step to promote the safety of our new mothers and children.
Nursery and Pediatrics Visitation
  • One caregiver per pediatric patient is allowed in the pediatric inpatient units and the Nursery or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
  • These visitors can only be parents, guardians, or family care partners. When possible, the designated caregiver should remain the same for the course of admission.

Surgery

  • Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor who must leave the medical center as soon as possible after the procedure/surgery.