News
Hospital updates visitation policy
Published
5 years agoon
By
Pat Blair
Sheridan Memorial Hospital has had a no visitation policy since March 23, with a goal of protecting patients and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, but as restrictions are loosened, the hospital is updating that policy.
As of now, all patients in the hospital are being allowed at least one visitor.
Barb Hespen, chief nursing officer, said the goal is to be sure the hospital is accommodating patients, their families and the hospital’s employees in the best, safest way possible.
According to a news release from the hospital, all patients, visitors and employees will be screened upon entering a hospital facility, and will be required to wear a face covering.
All support people and visitors will be screened for symptoms of illness and will not be allowed to visit if symptoms of illness are present. Visitors will also be limited in their movement within the hospital, mostly staying in the patient’s room. Each clinic will give specific instructions on whether visitors are allowed at the time of a patient’s visit.
Other updates to the vistation policy include the following:
Pediatric patients can be visited by both parents.
Obstetric patients in the hospital’s birthing unit will be allowed one support person and obstetric patients in the operating room for C-section will be allowed one support person as allowed by the surgeon and anesthesiolgist. Obstetrics ultrasound patients will be allowed one support person.
Patients having surgery or outpatient procedure will be allowed one support person.
A support person will also be allowed for patients in outpatient settings with sensory and/or cognitive deficits that require a caregiver to assist the physician with history and/or a driver/caregiver to take the patient home after surgery.
Patients at the end of life will be allowed one support person.
According to the news release, Sheridan Memorial Hospital is monitoring COVID-19 cases in Sheridan County on a daily basis, along with he availability of staffing, supplies and equipment.