Due to a surge of respiratory illness (flu, common cold, RSV and COVID-19) in our community, Abbeville Area Medical Center (AAMC) is experiencing large numbers of patients seeking care in our Emergency Department (ED). In order to maintain our ED’s ability to care for patients who are truly experiencing life-threatening emergency situations, we ask that healthy individuals with mild respiratory illness please NOT come to the hospital for testing and treatment but instead seek care from their primary care physician or one of the many local urgent care clinics.
AAMC’s Healthcare Center primary care practice is accepting walk-ins Monday – Friday from 8:00-11:00am and 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Please be patient as they are also seeing an increased number of patients in addition to their normal patient load. Please note not everyone will be tested, certain guidelines must be met.
Self Regional Healthcare also has the following virtual care options available. Please note that you do NOT have to have a MyChart account to use either option.
SRH Express Care
(click on the “MyChart On Demand Video Visit” and select the appropriate option. This link also allows you to schedule an urgent care appointment at Self Regional Healthcare’s Express Care locations.)
SRH Virtual Care
(Click on the blue “Speak to a healthcare provider” button and select the appropriate option.)
For patients who do present at our ED with respiratory complaints, our current guidelines include testing only patients who have the potential to develop severe health consequences from these infections. These patients include, but aren’t limited to, those aged less than 3, aged greater than 65, or those who have an underlying pulmonary disease such as COPD, Asthma, CHF, etc., those who are immunocompromised, currently on renal dialysis, or pregnant.
If you are in one of these high-risk categories, and you test positive for flu, covid, or RSV, the course of treatment may include prescription medications or potential admission into the hospital.
If you are not in one of these high-risk categories, testing is not indicated, and you can manage your symptoms from home by increasing fluid intake, taking Tylenol or Motrin, and other over the counter medications. If you are not getting better, or your symptoms worsen, seek medical care.
Beginning immediately, AAMC will be requiring all providers and team members to wear masks in all clinical areas throughout the organization, and all patients and visitors will be highly encouraged to wear masks inside AAMC facilities to help prevent further spread.
We also will be limiting visitation in our ED to 1 visitor per adult patient, and 2 visitors per patient who is 15 years old and younger. At this time, South Carolina is experiencing some of the highest rate of respiratory illness in the country, so we also strongly recommend that all individuals be vaccinated for Flu, Covid-19 and RSV.
Thank you for your understanding and for keeping our patients, team members and other visitors safe and healthy.
