EMERGENCY ROOM, CLINICAL DECISION UNIT, HOSPITAL INPATIENT, HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT, AND PHYSICIAN OFFICES

To help ensure a healthy and safe environment for patients, staff and our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors will only be allowed in these areas under special circumstances and visiting via telephone, electronic cards and group video chat will be encouraged.

A Patient’s provider, nursing staff and unit Director will collaborate when considering whether or not to allow patients to have adult visitors under the following special circumstances:

Child Birth

• One (1) designated individual during labor and delivery and for the duration of the mother’s hospital stay.

Surgical Patients

• One (1) designated individual who must remain in the waiting room and will not be allowed to enter the Same Day Surgery Unit.

Critical Care Patients transferring to a tertiary facility

• Two (2) designated individuals

Patients at Time of Discharge

• One (1) designated individual to pick up the patient at Entrance “F” or the ER Entrance. Staff will deliver the patient to these entrances wearing proper PPE per our patient transport policy.

Pediatric Patients (under age 18)

• Two (2) designated individuals for the duration of the hospital stay

Patients experiencing end-of-life

• Two (2) designated individuals

GENERAL PROCESSES

• Visits will be limited to the current 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. visiting hours when feasible.
• Visitor(s) will be selected by the patient, the patient’s decision maker if necessary or  appropriate hospital staff if a decision maker is not available.
• Staff will escort visitor(s) to the patient and out of the facility after their visit.
• Visitors must wear a procedure or cloth mask at all times while in the hospital 
• Visitation by confirmed, probable or symptomatic persons is not allowed, except if the patient is in an end of life situation. Visitor must visit alone and wear a procedure mask at all times.
• Visitation of a confirmed, probable or PUI COVID patient requires visitors to wear appropriate PPE while in the hospital.

HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC AND PHYSICIAN OFFICE VISITS

To help ensure a healthy and safe environment for patients, staff and our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors will not be allowed in these locations. An attendant may accompany a patient with a demonstrated need, such as patients who are minors or those with cognitive or physical limitations.

• Attendants screening positive will not be allowed to accompany the patient and will be asked to leave their cell phone number and wait in their car while staff assist the patient.
• Staff will call the attendant after the visit and will deliver the patient to the Entrance
• “B” or “C” Canopy for pickup while wearing appropriate transport PPE.
• Attendants screening negative will be given a “Pass” and must wear a cloth mask until leaving the hospital or clinic.
• Designated waiting areas within each outpatient service area will be provided for children who cannot be left at home alone safely while accompanying a parent seeking outpatient services.