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Visitation for Patients Suspected of or Diagnosed with COVID-19

Read Time: 3 mins

Effective Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 8 a.m.

*Note: The policy below is not for end of life situations.

Visitor Policy Change for Patients Suspected or Diagnosed with COVID-19:

  • One designated visitor for duration of hospital stay who is allowed one daily visit by appointment only between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Visitor to sign waiver about the risk associated with visiting patient with COVID-19 prior to visit.
  • Up to two-hour time limit for each daily visit with patient.
  • Hospital-provided PPE to be worn by visitor in the room and social distancing practiced at all times during the visit.

Exceptions:

  • Length of visit: If patient is requesting extended visitation that is longer than the two-hour time limit, request must be escalated to nurse manager for case-by-case review and approval. Any special request for a visit longer than 4 hours should be escalated to director for approval.
  • Designated visitor unable to visit: Request for changing designated visitor should be escalated to nurse manager for approval on a case-by-case basis.
  • Request for visit outside of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. time frame: Request must be escalated to nurse manager for approval prior to visit.

Process for Allowing Visitors for Patients Suspected or Diagnosed with COVID-19:

Step 1: Staff determines with patient one designated visitor for entire length of stay.

  • Visitor name must be documented in Epic in the FYI section.

Step 2: Staff (i.e. nurse, HUC, charge nurse, CNM) must call designated visitor to schedule time/date and provide instructions for visitation.

  • Visit time and date should be documented in Epic in the FYI section.

Step 3: When visitor arrives to unit, staff must assist the visitor with signing waiver and with putting on appropriate PPE.

  • PPE includes the following: gown, gloves, and isolation mask.
  • Face shield or goggles should be offered to visitor. Either is acceptable.

Step 4: Place isolation mask on patient if patient is able to tolerate.

Step 5: When visit is complete, staff must assist visitor with removing all PPE and performing hand hygiene. Provide visitor with a new isolation mask before leaving.

  • Consider scheduling next daily visit with the visitor at this time.

Visitor Instructions – To be Read by Staff When Scheduling Visit

(i.e. Nurse, HUC, Charge Nurse, CNM)

See attached document and print it out for staff to use

Scheduling Visit Instructions

Emergency Department

  • Patient suspected of having COVID-19 may have one designated visitor who must wear hospital-provided PPE when with the patient in the Emergency Department.
    • PPE: gown, gloves, and isolation mask.
    • Face shield or goggles should be offered to visitor. Either is acceptable.
  • No waiver to be signed in ED by visitor. Designated visitor for the patient’s entire length of stay should be determined once the patient is admitted to the inpatient unit by nursing staff and waiver signed there.

Outpatient Procedures

  • Patient suspected or positive with COVID-19 may have one designated visitor for entire procedure length of stay.
  • Visitor must wear hospital-provided PPE when with the patient in the outpatient procedure area.
    • PPE: gown, gloves, and isolation mask.
  • No waiver to be signed in OP by visitor. If for any reason patient is admitted, designated visitor for the patient’s entire length of stay should be determined once the patient is admitted to the inpatient unit by nursing staff and waiver signed there.
February 16, 2021
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