Submitted by Providence
At Providence SW hospitals and clinics, our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be part of the healing process. However, patient and caregiver safety are our top priority. And we depend on our healthy caregiver workforce to care for all who come through our door. Because of this circumstance we are making a change to our current visitation policy.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, specifically the Delta variant, we must take extra steps to protect our patients, staff, visitors, and the community. As of August 11, we are rolling back our visitor policy. Thus, in order to keep our patients and caregivers safe, until further notice, we have implemented a No-Visitors policy. The decision to restrict visitors was difficult and made only after careful consideration.
“We recognize there are times when having a person familiar with the patient is important for healing and communication,” said Suzie Scott, Chief Nursing Officer. “In these cases, an Essential Support Person may be allowed based on a few exceptions.”
Please note in all cases, the Essential Support Person (ESP) will only be allowed into the hospital if they screen negative for COVID-19 symptoms. The Essential Support Person will remain the same throughout the patient’s stay. Additionally, children under the age of 18 will not be allowed unless they are the patient being seen.
An ESP may be permitted to accompany patients if their presence is necessary for the overall care experience of the patient by assisting with communication and providing critical support to the patient.
Exceptions include:
- Patients who are at the end-of-life (expected to pass away within 12-24 hours) may have two essential support people.
- Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays may have one ESP to ensure the patient’s safety.
- Pediatrics (under age 18): Two ESP (parents/guardians) will be allowed to visit.
- Critical Care (CVICU and NTICU): Patients may request two ESP(s) to visit during his/her stay while in Critical Care. Only one visitor at a time. Visitation will be limited to the hours of 10 a.m.-noon and 4-6 p.m. Provide the patient’s nurse with the names of these individuals so we can coordinate entry with the greeters at the front entrance. If the visitors intend to trade out during the 2-hour visitation window, one visitor must wait outside the facility for the other individual to leave. He/she may then enter the facility.
- Once a patient is transferred from Critical Care to Inpatient status, they are subject to the no-visitation policy
- Obstetric patients may have one partner and one birth support person (doula) to accompany them. The partner may stay the entire time. The doula must leave once the patient leaves the labor room.
- Special Care Nursery patients may have two parents/guardians. No siblings allowed.
- Emergency Department patients may have one ESP to ensure the patient’s safety.
