Chickasaw Nation Department of Health adjusts services to promote safety
This article appeared in the February 2021 edition of the Chickasaw Times
Know the rules prior to accessing care
The Chickasaw Nation Department of Health (CNDH) has recently adjusted its hours of operation and updated some services in response to the ongoing public health crisis.
CNDH has adopted leading industry protocols to ensure the highest quality and safety standards to keep patients, staff and visitors safe while on Chickasaw campuses.
Health care through the CNDH is available at no cost to citizens of federally-recognized American Indian tribes. Among these services are emergency care, primary care, acute care, intensive care, behavioral health services, dental, optometry, diabetes care, eyeglasses and hearing aid programs, women’s clinic and pharmacy, among others.
Some services are also available to employees, including the Chickasaw Nation Employee Health Clinics in Ada and Norman, which have no out-of-pocket expenses for in-house clinic visits, lab work or X-rays.
Below is a collection of up-to-date information pertinent to anyone seeking care with the CNDH.
Status and procedure
The Chickasaw Nation’s main priority is safety. CNDH strongly discourages family members or friends from accompanying patients to visits unless they are critical to the patient’s care.
Virtual Medical Visit (866) 610-7776
Online medical care is available to patients for specific non-life-threatening injuries or ailments. A virtual visit gives providers the ability to consult with patients in Oklahoma virtually from the comfort of their homes. To be eligible, patients must live in Oklahoma and have an active chart at any CNDH facility. To learn more visit Chickasaw.net/VirtualVisit.
CNMC pediatrics drive-thru (580) 421-4550
To minimize exposure for patients and their caregivers, the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center (CNMC) pediatrics clinic now offers drive-thru services 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment only. This service is available to individuals with established CNDH charts who have same-day appointments scheduled through the CNMC pediatrics clinic or are referred by a provider following a virtual visit evaluation.
Call the CNMC pediatrics clinic for an appointment and drive-thru location details. Drive-thru pediatric services are not available at Tishomingo, Purcell and Ardmore clinic locations at this time.
Chickasaw Nation Medical Center (580) 436-3980
Clinics and other services are by appointment only. Patients can call providers or clinics directly for assistance. Phone and virtual appointments with physicians are available.
The CNMC entrance will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Visits to patients receiving inpatient care at CNMC are not allowed.
All ICU visitors are prohibited. End of life situations will be navigated on a case-by-case basis.
Admitted pediatric patients may have one parent/guardian for the duration of his or her stay. Parents/guardians for pediatric patients will be tested for COVID-19 before being permitted in the facility.
Women’s/OB unit patients arriving for delivery may designate one labor support representative per room/per stay. The support representative will be tested for COVID-19 before entry is permitted.
A patient representative/support person may be approved for surgical patients scheduled for particular procedures and will be navigated on a case-by-case basis.
Outpatient clinic patients may be accompanied by one patient representative/support person when necessary and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. This restriction does not prevent patients from having interpreters, medical decision-makers or others necessary to receive medical care present at their appointment.
Chickasaw Nation Emergency Department (580) 421-4526
Located at the CNMC, the Chickasaw Nation Emergency Department (ED) is observing usual operations. CNMC Emergency Department virtual visits are also available 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week by calling (580) 272-2776 or (866) 610-7776.
ED and urgent care visitors are limited due to available ED space. Only minors, under the age of 18, and patients with physical and mental disabilities who require assistance will be allowed one patient representative in the ED. Other visitors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and may be notified by phone for questions or to update a patient’s status as indicated. Please be prepared to provide a working phone number.
Chickasaw Nation Health Clinics are accepting appointments via telecommunication with phone and virtual appointments available. Call providers or clinics for assistance.
- Ardmore Health Clinic (580) 226-8181
- Purcell Health Clinic (405) 527-4700
- Tishomingo Health Clinic (580) 371-2361
The CNMC Pharmacy (580) 421-4569
The CNMC Pharmacy lobby is currently closed. Drive-thru services are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday as well as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends and on holidays. Pharmacists are available during pharmacy hours to answer questions.
Online refill services are accessible at Chickasaw.net/Services/Online-Pharmacy-Refill-Center and an automated phone refill service is available at (877) 267-3345.
The Apila Center is assisting visitors curbside. To pick up information or Medisaw paperwork, call for assistance upon arrival:
- Health information: (580) 559-0712
- Business office: (580) 421-4570
- Medisaw: (580) 421-4549
The CNMC Chapel
The CNMC has a beautiful chapel and chaplain services available to honor all patients and families. CNMC will work through proper protocols to accommodate any religious beliefs and spiritual or prayer ceremonies by request through CNMC chaplain services at (580) 436-3980. Ask for extension 80020.
Campus guidelines
All individuals entering the CNDH campuses will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival. Employees and patient representatives are required to wear face masks at all times. This includes children over two years of age.
Patient representatives are encouraged to bring their own masks, and practice proper hand hygiene and responsible distancing in all areas of CNDH facilities.
Valet services remain suspended until further notice due to inability to practice responsible distancing. Risks of possible exposure in multiple uncontrolled settings are high due to close contact with people in and out of vehicles, and exposure to high-touch surface areas in customer vehicles.
Elevator use at all CNDH facilities is restricted to four individuals at one time.
Furniture is spaced at appropriate distances throughout all health facilities. Individuals are asked not to move the furniture or congregate in groups in common areas.
CNDH will continue to maintain rigorous cleaning protocols at all locations.
Okchamali’s Café is open. Customers must practice responsible distancing while ordering or waiting in line. All guests are asked to wear a mask until they begin eating.
The CNMC Gift Shop is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for visitors who have been cleared to enter the hospital. The gift shop is located on the first floor and offers over-the-counter medications and personal hygiene items, as well as a variety of gift items like greeting cards, books, candy and First American-made jewelry.
Screening
CNDH has implemented a screening policy at all clinics and hospitals to protect patients, while meeting the needs of our communities. Patients and visitors will be asked screening questions provided by infection prevention and have their temperature taken.
Patients who have a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) or any other symptom designated by infection prevention will be asked to wear a face mask for the duration of their visit.
Visitors who screen positive for having potential COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to remain outside the clinic or hospital unless they are necessary to assist the patient.
COVID-19 testing
Anyone may receive a COVID-19 test at the CNMC as well as the Ardmore, Purcell and Tishomingo health clinics drive-thru testing locations.
For questions regarding testing or test results, contact the Chickasaw Nation COVID-19 call center at (580) 272-1315. Before arriving at a Chickasaw Nation testing site, visit CovidTesting.Chickasaw.net to preregister.
All locations are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Hours may vary during inclement weather.
Rapid testing through the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center Emergency Department is for eligible patients with true emergent symptoms only. Those arriving at the ED for a COVID-19 test will be medically screened. Depending on symptoms patients may be redirected to the drive-thru testing tents.
More information
The purpose of these updates is to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff. CNDH appreciates your patience and understanding as protocols evolve to fit the most up-to-date information.
For more information regarding specific programs and services or to reach particular offices and clinics, call the CNMC’s main line at (580) 436-3980. An operator will help direct your call.
To find more information about updated CNDH policies and guidelines before visiting a hospital or clinic, visit Chickasaw.net/CNDHVisitors.