BENNETTSVILLE, South Carolina — For the safety and well-being of our patients and staff members, CareSouth Carolina is implementing several changes to its normal patient experience.

As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak continues to spread across the United States and the rest of the world, CareSouth Carolina is actively monitoring the situation and putting procedures in place to help combat the spread of the virus.

Here are a few things to know about your patient experience at CareSouth Carolina during this time:

What if I am coming for a sick visit?

If you’re sick, suffering with an injury or even have a condition that isn’t under control- like high blood pressure that is being closely monitored- CareSouth Carolina will continue to see you normally in the office.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a staff member at the front. Every person entering the office will be screened and have their temperature taken. After that, the staff will determine if you need a mask. If a patient has a fever, CareSouth Carolina will take them into a patient room- rather than waiting in the lobby- to expose the least amount of people as possible.

“At the front doors of our offices, we are having a screening team in place,” CareSouth Carolina CEO Ann Lewis said. “Going through this process could confusing to folks. We need to make our premises as safe as possible, not only for those who are seeking us for their needs, but also for our staff.”

Visitors are limited to the patient and one other “attendant,” who is there in some “assistance capacity” and CareSouth Carolina is asking that people not bring their children with them if at all possible.

“We’re not sure how long this will last, but we need to be active right now,” Lewis said.

What if I have a regular follow-up visit?

CareSouth Carolina is advising patients to call before they come to the office. For patients who are not sick (those who have wellness or routine follow-up visits), we are offering to re-schedule or to have a telehealth/telecommunication visit with a provider as a way to protect them from being potentially exposed.

“In an alternative for patients who were coming in for wellness visits or routine follow-up, we have implemented telehealth visits,” Lewis said. “We have a whole team who is dedicated to checking in with patients, seeing if there is a need and a way to do a video conference or talk on the phone. We have a good system in place.”

Are the CSC Community Pharmacies still open?

All CSC Community Pharmacies will remain open and providers can call-in medicine for those patients who are in need of prescription refills.

“Rest assured, we’re doing everything that we can to accommodate that,” Lewis said.

CareSouth Carolina operates CSC Community Pharmacies in Hartsville, Bishopville, Latta, Bennettsville, Cheraw, Society and McColl. All of our pharmacies are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m